Synthesis, storage and release of acetylcholine at and from growth cones of rat central cholinergic neurons in culture.
Neurons from the nucleus diagonal band of Broca (DBB) from new born rats protrude neuronal processes and growth cones in culture. Cytochemical observations with the light and electron microscope indicate that growth cones of these neurons take up choline, synthesize acetylcholine (ACh) and store ACh in the vesicles. Electrical stimuli at the soma of DBB neurons evoked inward currents in ACh-sensitive neurons attached to DBB growth cones. These currents were suppressed by TTX, a Ca2+ channel blocker (Cd2+), and an ACh nicotinic antagonist (C6). These results suggest that ACh is synthesized, stored and released from the growth cones of DBB neurons prior to synapse formation.
Tatsumi
H
H
Department of Autonomic Physiology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan. tatsauto@tmd.ac.jp
Tsuji
S
S
Anglade
P
P
Motelica-Heino
I
I
Soeda
H
H
Katayama
Y
Y
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism*; D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001345:Autoradiography; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000378:metabolism; D002794:Choline / Q000378:metabolism; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000378:metabolism*; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D016501:Neurites / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013687:Telencephalon / Q000166:cytology; D013779:Tetrodotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D014316:Tritium / Q000378:metabolism
D014316:Tritium; D013779:Tetrodotoxin; D002794:Choline; D000109:Acetylcholine