Localization of choline acetyltransferase within identified motoneurons of the nematode Ascaris

Choline acetyltransferase (CAT) activity has been measured in the nematode Ascaris lumbricoides. Strips of hypodermal tissue which contained branches of single identified motoneurons (Stretton, A.O.W., R.M. Fishpool, E. Southgate, J.E. Donmoyer, J.P. Walrond, and I.S. Kass (1978) Proc. Natl. Acad. S...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of neuroscience 1985-08, Vol.5 (8), p.1984-1992
Main Authors: Johnson, CD, Stretton, AO
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Ascaris - enzymology
Biochemistry. Physiology. Immunology. Molecular biology
Biological and medical sciences
Choline O-Acetyltransferase - analysis
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Invertebrates
Mathematics
Motor Neurons - enzymology
Nemathelminthia. Plathelmintha
Physiology. Development
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Summary:Choline acetyltransferase (CAT) activity has been measured in the nematode Ascaris lumbricoides. Strips of hypodermal tissue which contained branches of single identified motoneurons (Stretton, A.O.W., R.M. Fishpool, E. Southgate, J.E. Donmoyer, J.P. Walrond, and I.S. Kass (1978) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 75: 3493-3497) as well as control strips containing no neural tissue were assayed. In strips of hypodermis which contained branches of excitatory motoneurons (classes DE1, DE2, and DE3), CAT activity was elevated 5 to 10 times compared to control levels. Branches of inhibitory motoneurons (classes D1 and V1) did not add to the level of CAT observed in the controls. These data provide additional support for the suggestion (e.g., del Castillo, J., W.C. deMello, and T. Morales (1963) Experientia 20: 141) that acetylcholine is an excitatory neurotransmitter at nematode neuromuscular junctions. The function of the low level of CAT observed throughout the hypodermis is unknown.
ISSN:0270-6474
1529-2401
DOI:10.1523/jneurosci.05-08-01984.1985