title: Cytochemistry of 5'-nucleotidase in the superior cervical ganglion of cat and guinea pig.
abstract: The localization of 5'-nucleotidase, an adenosine-producing ectoenzyme, was studied by a cytochemical method in the superior cervical ganglion of the adult cat and guinea pig. The following subcellular sites of enzymatic activity were detected: (1) the surface of Schwann and satellite cells including the extracellular space between these cells and neuronal profiles; (2) the plasmalemma and pinocytotic vesicles of capillary endothelial cells; and (3) the synaptic clefts between cholinergic preganglionic axon terminals and sympathetic neurons. The simultaneous presence of 5'-nucleotidase at both glial elements and synapses within the adult peripheral nervous system (PNS) constitutes a novel distribution pattern for this enzyme which does not apply to the mature central nervous system (CNS), but which is rather typical for the developing CNS. These distributions of 5'-nucleotidase activity may reflect specific cellular requirements for nucleosides involved in parenchymal metabolism, in vascular transport processes and, possibly, in synaptic plasticity.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institute for Psychiatry, Dept. of Neuromorphology, Munich, F.R.G.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Nacimiento
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Schoen
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Nacimiento
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Kreutzberg
mesh_terms: D015720:5'-Nucleotidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000502:physiology; D002415:Cats; D004727:Endothelium / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000201:enzymology; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000201:enzymology; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000201:enzymology; D013569:Synapses / Q000201:enzymology; D016707:Tissue Fixation
chemical_list: D015720:5'-Nucleotidase