Cholinesterases and choline acetyltransferase in the denervated ductus deferens of the guinea pig.
The activities of cholinesterases and choline acetyltransferase in the homogenate and localization of cholinesterases in the ductus deferens of the guinea pig were determined at different times after denervation and decentralization. The activities of choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase were reduced to about 50% of the control values at all times after denervation; the ultrastructural localization of acetylcholinesterase was not changed. Similar results were obtained for butyryl- and propionylcholinesterase, with the exception at the sixth week after denervation when the activity was not reduced; however, the localization of these enzymes was changed; they appear on the nuclear membrane of the muscle fiber. Our results suggest that the denervation and decentralization of this smooth muscle results not only in changes of activity but also in localization of some cholinesterases. The possibility of a connection between activity of postsynaptically localized enzymes and the permeability of membranes for Ca(2+) is discussed.
Majcen
Z
Z
Institute of Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 61105 Ljubljana, Yugoslavia.