Differential effects of denervation on acetylcholinesterase activity in parasympathetic and sympathetic ganglia of the frog, Rana pipiens.
The transsynaptic regulation of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was studied by recording the changes in enzymatic activity following denervation in two types of autonomic ganglia in the frog, Rana pipiens. Opposite effects on AChE were found in the parasympathetic cardiac ganglion and in the sympathetic lumbar ganglion; denervation produced a significant increase in AChE activity in cardiac ganglia but a significant decrease in lumbar ganglia. The relative effects of denervation on intracellular and total AChE were examined by selectively inhibiting extracellular AChE with echothiophate, a poorly lipid-soluble cholinesterase inhibitor. Denervation resulted in a significant increase in intracellular AChE in cholinergic cardiac ganglia but had no effect on intracellular AChE activity in adrenergic lumbar ganglia. Histochemical studies revealed little change in extracellular AChE staining upon denervation in the cardiac ganglion, whereas in the lumbar ganglia there was a loss of AChE-specific reaction product. These results raise the possibility that the transsynaptic control of AChE activity by innervation in the frog is influenced by the transmitter synthetic properties of the postsynaptic ganglion cells.
Streichert
L C
LC
Neurosciences Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305.
Sargent
P B
PB
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D004456:Echothiophate Iodide / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005726:Ganglia, Parasympathetic / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D010830:Physostigmine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011894:Rana pipiens; D013562:Sympathectomy
D010830:Physostigmine; D004456:Echothiophate Iodide; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase