title: Effect of AF64A on the cholinergic systems of the retina and optic tectum of goldfish.
abstract: AF64A, a presumed selective cholinergic neurotoxin has been used to study the effect on cholinergic systems of the goldfish retina and optic tectum. Toxin injection in the vitreum and in the optic tectum caused a selective decrease of choline acetyltransferase activity in both areas, while no significant decrease of glutamate decarboxylase and D-3H aspartate uptake were observed at different times after the injections. The effect was particularly dramatic in the retina of long term-injected animals, where choline acetyltransferase dropped to practically zero level. The ultrastructural analysis showed selective degeneration of some neurons in the amacrine and ganglion cell layer of the retina as well as of synaptic terminals and neuronal cell bodies in the optic tectum. The results favour a selective cholinotoxicity of AF64A in fish nerve tissue at doses substantially higher than those found to have additional unselective effects in mammals.
authors: Department of Biology, University of Bologna, Italy.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Villani
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Bissoli
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Garolini
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Guarnieri
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Battistini
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Saverino
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Contestabile
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001388:Aziridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001389:Azirines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002794:Choline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005123:Eye; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D006054:Goldfish; D007267:Injections; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009410:Nerve Degeneration; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D001388:Aziridines; D001389:Azirines; D009498:Neurotoxins; C044894:ethylcholine aziridinium; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase; D002794:Choline