The nervous system of Microstomum lineare (Turbellaria, Macrostomida). II. The ultrastructure of synapses and neurosecretory release sites.

The ultrastructure of release sites of neurochemical messenger substances in the microturbellarian Microstomum lineare was examined. Aminergic neurites form conventional synapses and synapse-like structures (SLS). Variants of true synapses include: "single" synapses with symmetric pre- and postsynaptic densities, "shared" synapses, i.e., contacts between 1 pre- and 2 postsynaptic fibres, en passant synapses between parallel axonal membranes, and synapses without thickenings having only clustered vesicles in the presynaptic terminal. SLS on a nerve cell soma or facing an intercellular stromal channel near muscles are described. Peptidergic neurites containing large granular vesicles (LGV) from synaptoids and signs of putative neurosecretory release. Synaptoids between neurites and between neurite and muscle have lucent vacuoles (about 100 nm) and dense material at the contact site. In en passage synaptoids dense-core vesicles are embedded in electron-dense material at the contact site. Putative signs of release of neurosecretory material other than "typical" exocytosis have been observed.