Presynaptic Distribution of the Cholinergic‐Specific Antigen Chol‐1 and 5′‐Nucleotidase in Rat Brain, as Determined by Complement‐Mediated Release of Neurotransmitters

Abstract

Nerve terminals prepared from rat cortex and hippocampus were loaded with seven radioactive putative neurotransmitters (serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, aspartate, glutamate, and taurine). The release of these transmitters, choline acetyltransferase, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine decarboxylase, enolase, and lactate dehydrogenase was monitored during complement-mediated lysis. Three antisera were used: anti-5'-nucleotidase, anti-Chol-1, and anti-rat cerebrum. Anti-5'-nucleotidase serum did not cause the release of any labelled transmitter or of any of the enzymes studied. Anti-Chol-1 serum released choline acetyltransferase and small amounts of enolase and lactate dehydrogenase. Anti-rat cerebrum caused the release of all seven transmitters, choline acetyltransferase, and small amounts of the other three enzymes. It was concluded that 5'-nucleotidase was not present on any of the terminals studied, and that Chol-1 is only present on cholinergic terminals.

Subcellular Localization of 5′‐Nucleotidase in Rat Brain

“…It might therefore be speculated that the 5'-nucleotidase that appears to be associated with nerve endings in such fractions might be derived from the type of perisynaptic glia described by . A nonsynaptosomal localization of 5'-nucleotidase is also consistent with a recent elegant immunochemical study showing a lack of 5'-nucleotidase on synaptosomes characterized by several neurotransmitters (Richardson, 1983).…”

Cell Culture in the Neurosciences

“…The serum had a low titer of cytotoxic antibodies that released choline acetyltransferase from mammalian brain synaptosomes but did not release dopadecarboxylase or various smaller molecules (Richardson, 1983). There was antigen in ganglioside fractions from the electric organ and, to some extent, from mammalian brain.…”

Some Currently Neglected Aspects of Cholinergic Function

“…The resulting anti-serum, after purification by adsorption, proved to be specific for cholinergic neurones in the mammalian brain. Figure 3 shows one of a number of ways in which this was demonstrated (data plotted from Richardson 1983). Synaptosomes, like cells, can be sensitized to lysis by complement by pretreating them with an anti-serum which recognizes an antigen on the plasma membrane.…”