Actin filaments in dendritic spines of red nucleus neurons demonstrated by immunoferritin localization and heavy meromyosin binding

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Abstract
Immunohistological studies using a ferritin-labeled antibody demonstrated the presence of actin in spines of red nucleus neurons of adult cats. Microfilaments in spines were decorated with heavy meromyosin (HMM) binding with typical arrowheads, and reverted to their original form in the presence of Mg2+ and ATP. These results, obtained by different methods, suggest the existence of actin filaments in neuronal spines. HMM-decorated filaments were organized in a parallel inward direction in the spines. The existence of actin in spines and the possible contractility of spines are discussed based on the above results.