Evaluation of [3-H]proline for radioautographic tracing of axonal projections in the teleost visual system.

The efficacy of [3-H]proline radioautography for tracing retinal ganglion cell projections to the optic tectum of the jewel fish, Hemichromis bimaculatus, has been compared with that of degeneration techniques. There was good agreement between the various methods. Retinal projections to the optic tectum of two other teleosts, the oscar, Astronotus ocellatus, and the goldfish, Carrasius auratus, were examined radioautographically. In addition to conventional methods of analysis, radioautograms were scanned in a slit microdensitometer and by an automated isodensity scanning system. Results of studies with the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, are compatible with the suggestion that axonally transported proteins labeled with [3-H]proline may release diffusible precursors that are reincorporated into protein in adjacent regions. The possible advantages and limitations of radioautography of [3-H]proline-labeled axonally transported protein in brief or extended studies are discussed in terms of the results obtained in the teleost visual system.