Microtubule organization and synaptogenesis in the vestibular sensory cells

Microtubule organization in type I hair cells has been investigated during the synaptogenesis of vestibular receptors in mammals. The different steps in the maturation of the synapse between the hair cell and the nerve chalice were: a slight symmetrical membrane densification; the appearance of synaptic bodies alongside microtubules closely associated with densified presynaptic membranes; the disappearance of synaptic bodies and the persistence of microtubules. During this development, microvesicules were never seen to be associated with microtubules.