Effects of Colchicine and Vinblastine on Axonal Transport of Choline Acetyltransferase in Rat Sciatic Nerve

• Published in: Acta physiologica Scandinavica 1976-04, Vol.96 (4), p.486-494
• Main Authors: Dziegielewska, K. M., Saunders, N. R., Evans, C. A. N., Skacel, P. O., Häggendal, C. J., Heiwall, P.-O., Dahlström, A. B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetyltransferases - metabolism; Animals; Axonal Transport - drug effects; Choline O-Acetyltransferase - metabolism; Colchicine - administration & dosage; Colchicine - pharmacology; Depression, Chemical; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Electric Stimulation; Male; Microtubules - physiology; Neural Conduction - drug effects; Peripheral Nerves - enzymology; Rats; Sciatic Nerve - drug effects; Sciatic Nerve - enzymology; Vinblastine - administration & dosage; Vinblastine - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0001-6772; 1365-201X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-1716.1976.tb10218.x

The effects of colchicine (0.5-10(-2) M) and vinblastine (10(-2)-10(-5) M) Upon axonal transport of choline acetyltranserase (CAT) and on nerve impulse conduction have been investigated in the rat sciatic nerve. High concentrations of colchicine (0.5 M) and vinblastine (10(-2) M) blocked completely both axonal transport of CAT and impulse conduction. 10(-3) M vinblastine did not affect impulse conduction until 20-22 h after injection, but this concentration of vinblastine did block CAT transport but not impulse conduction. 10(-2) M and 10(-1) M colchicine were without effect on impulse conduction, but did produce substantial, although incomplete, block of CAT transport. The results are discussed in relation to the possible involvement of microtubules in transport of CAT.