Hippocampal Neuron in Cell Culture
Wes Perrine (UCDHSC)

Fluorescence microscopy, 40x projection image
This is a picture of two nerve cells grown in culture (low density) from the hippocampus, a specific part of the brain involved with learning and memory. One cell is completely in focus so you see all of its features (cell body, nucleus, and projections). The cell body, nucleus, and the beginning of two projections are visible in the second cell (near the bottom of the picture).

The cells were stained for two very specific proteins represented by the two fluorescent colors. Fluorescent green represents a protein contained in synapses called synaptophysin. Each green dot represents a synapse where another neuron communicates with the cell shown through its axon (axon not visible). It is apparent that one neuron receives input from thousands of other neurons. The green dots outline the projections of the cell, called dendrites. Fluorescent purple represents a protein called the ryanodine receptor that is contained inside the cell body. This protein is involved in intracellular calcium signaling. The protein is so dense inside the cell that the image appears to be solid. Inside the cell body there is a large black area where there is little or no staining, this is the nucleus of the cell.

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