Immunocytochemical localization of choline acetyltransferase in the carotid body of the cat and rabbit.
The carotid body consists of afferent axon terminals in synaptic association with preneural type I cells and enveloping type II cells. The presence of acetylcholine (ACh) in this organ and its pharmacological actions are well established; however, its precise localization remains uncertain. In the present study, choline acetyltransferase was immunocytochemically localized to type I cells of the cat and rabbit. These data, combined with previous demonstrations of cholinergic receptor action, suggest that ACh may be involved in neurotransmitter coupling in the carotid body.
Wang
Z Z
ZZ
Department of Physiology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84108.
Stensaas
L J
LJ
Dinger
B
B
Fidone
S J
SJ
D000818:Animals; D002344:Carotid Body / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D002415:Cats; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000201:enzymology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D011817:Rabbits
D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase