Radioautographic study of the axonal transport of proteins into the sensory nerve endings of avian mechanoreceptors.

The axonal transport of proteins to the nerve endings of Herbst and Grandry sensory receptors has been investigated by electron-microscope radioautography. Soon after the injection of [3H]leucine into the trigeminal ganglia of young ducks, labeled proteins are conveyed along the suborbital sensory nerves to the sensory nerve endings at rates of at least 200-280 mm/day. Most of these rapidly transported proteins accumulate in areas containing vesicles of various kinds and along the axolemmal region. Later, the bulk of labeled proteins migrate along the axons at rates of about 15 mm/day and are distributed mainly to the mitochondria. A small portion of labeled material is transferred to the adjoining modified Schwann and specialized Grandry receptor cells. It is concluded that the transport of proteins from sensory ganglia to sensory nerve endings of mechanoreceptors is conveyed at fast and intermediate rates and is mainly used for the renewal of vesicles, axolemmal constituents and mitochondria.