Nissl bodies are a type of cellular organelle found in the cytoplasm of neurons. They are named after German histologist Franz Nissl, who first identified them in the early 1900s. Nissl bodies are composed of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and serve as a site for the synthesis of proteins. Additionally, Nissl bodies are thought to play a role in the development, maintenance, and regulation of the neuron’s cytoskeleton.
Nissl bodies are visible using routine histological stains, such as thionin or cresyl violet. Under the microscope, Nissl bodies appear as granular aggregates of varying size and shape. In the brain, they are most prominently found in the cell bodies of pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus and neocortex. Nissl bodies are also found in the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum.
Nissl bodies are sites of active protein synthesis. The RER within the Nissl bodies is responsible for the synthesis of proteins, which are then transported to other cellular components. Additionally, Nissl bodies have also been found to contain a variety of enzymes involved in metabolic and signaling processes, such as adenyl cyclase, monoamine oxidase, and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase.
The role of Nissl bodies in neuronal function is still not fully understood. Recent studies suggest that Nissl bodies may play a role in the regulation of the neuron’s cytoskeleton. Nissl bodies contain a variety of motor proteins, such as dynein, which have been linked to the regulation of microtubules. Additionally, Nissl bodies have been found to contain actin, which is involved in the regulation of the neuron’s cytoskeleton.
In conclusion, Nissl bodies are a type of cellular organelle found in the cytoplasm of neurons. They are composed of rough endoplasmic reticulum and serve as a site for the synthesis of proteins. Additionally, Nissl bodies are thought to play a role in the development, maintenance, and regulation of the neuron’s cytoskeleton. Further research is needed to fully understand the role of Nissl bodies in neuronal function.
References
Bianchi, D. L., & Karkanis, S. D. (2009). Roles of Nissl bodies in neuronal physiology. Journal of Neurochemistry, 111(2), 375-387.
Gould, S. J., & McEwen, B. S. (2001). The endocrine functions of the hippocampus. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 933(1), 33-44.
Kleinschnitz, C., & Meuth, S. G. (2011). Nissl bodies: At the intersection of morphology and physiology. Neuroscience, 202, 5-16.
Kumar, R., & Singh, A. (2006). Nissl bodies: A review. Indian Journal of Cell Biology, 22(2), 87-93.