Open AccessCarbonic anhydrase activity in axon terminals of sensory corpuscles.
Author(s) -
Koujiro Tohyama,
Chizuka Idé
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
archivum histologicum japonicum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0004-0681
DOI - 10.1679/aohc.50.325
Subject(s) - axoplasm , axon , mechanoreceptor , free nerve ending , anatomy , sensory system , neurite , chemistry , sciatic nerve , axon terminal , merkel cell , sensory receptor , axoplasmic transport , biophysics , biology , neuroscience , biochemistry , genetics , merkel cell carcinoma , carcinoma , in vitro
The distribution of carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity was studied by electron microscopic histochemistry in rat Pacinian corpuscles, Meissner corpuscles and Merkel cell-neurite complexes using the cobalt bicarbonate method. The distribution of CA activity in these axon terminals was compared to the activity in sciatic nerve axons. An intense enzymatic CA activity was demonstrated in axon terminals of both Pacinian and Meissner corpuscles, while a weak activity was found within the axoplasm of terminals abutting Merkel cells. Some large- and medium-sized axons in sciatic nerves exhibited an intense activity. These findings indicate that large- or medium-diameter sensory axons innervating corpuscular endings have an intense CA activity extending from their somata to their sensory terminals. Axons to Merkel-neurite complexes differ in CA activity from those innervating Meissner and Pacinian corpuscular endings.