Preferential termination of corticorubral axons on spine-like dendritic protrusions in developing cat

The formation of synaptic contacts is a crucial event during neural development and is thought to be achieved by complex interactions between incoming axons and the neurons in the target. We have focused on spine-like dendritic protrusions (SLDPs), which are transient pleomorphic protrusive structures seen in developing brains. Although the functional significance of SLDPs remains unknown, accumulating in vitro evidence suggests that the SLDP plays an important role in synaptogenetic interactions with axons. As a test of this idea, the present study was performed to examine whether the SLDPs are the preferential sites of synapse formation in vivo. The ultrastructure of biocytin-labeled corticorubral (CR) terminals was examined in serial thin sections during the period of synaptogenesis in newborn cats. We found that a major proportion (86%) of the CR synapses was formed on SLDPs. The presynaptic terminals were often invaginated by fine processes extending from the tips of SLDPs. Synaptic structures presumably of cortical origin were also found on SLDPs of HRP-labeled rubrospinal cells, suggesting that SLDPs postsynaptic to labeled CR terminals originate at least in part from rubrospinal cells. Taken together, these results indicate that SLDPs may represent preferred sites of synapse formation and support the notion that SLDPs play a role in synaptogenic interactions during brain development.