Ribosomal distributions in axons of mammalian myelinated fibers

The distribution of ribosomes and polysomes in uninjured myelinated axons of rat sciatic nerve was analyzed. Ribosomes were identified by immunocytochemistry at the light and electron microscopic levels. A polyclonal antibody developed against ribosomes recognized both rRNA and ribosomal proteins. The distribution of the immunoreaction product was similar to that obtained with human anti-ribosomal P protein. The immunoreaction product distributions were of two types in axons: 1) periodic localization in the cortical region of axoplasm that appeared as a compact structural aggregate, consistent with that described as a periaxoplasmic ribosomal plaques (PARP) domain (Koenig et al. [2000] J. Neurosci. 20:8390-8400), and 2) scattered small immuno-reactive clusters of varying sizes (RNP) within the central core of the axon. The latter observation suggested the possibility that RNP-like particles could be associated with the axonal transport system and in transit. Immunoreaction product was also associated with a novel structural inclusion, possibly multi-vesicular in makeup that was located in the axon and at the myelin-axon interface, and visible at the light and EM levels. The potential significance of this structural peculiarity is considered.