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Enhanced dopamine uptake in dissociated embryonic mesencephalon co‐cultured with metencephalon or astrocytes
Author(s) -
Lieth E.,
Towle A.C.,
Joh T.,
Lauder J.M.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
international journal of developmental neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.761
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1873-474X
pISSN - 0736-5748
DOI - 10.1016/0736-5748(83)90347-7
Subject(s) - chapel , humanities , midbrain , anatomy , dept , art , neuroscience , medicine , art history , biology , genetics , central nervous system
Acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) esists as a family of molecular forms. The mammalian CNS contains mainly the monomeric (GI) and tetrameric (G4) forms ; changes in their relative level, in favour of G4, have been demonstrated in the developing brain (Massouli~ et al., 1982, Ann. Rev. Neurosci. 5, 57). In the present study we have examined the expression of AChE in primary cultures of mouse brain. Dissociated cells derived from 15-day embryos were cultured under conditions allowing for neuronal survival and differentiation (Berwald-Netter et al., 1981, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78, 1245). The AChE activity per dish and the proportion of G! and G4 forms were determined in detergent extracts of cells as a function of time in culture up to 4 weeks. In addition, the cellular localization of the enzyme was assayed by measures of the ectoactivity of whole cells and by use of non-penetrating inhibitors. One of our main conclusions is that the maturation of AChE in long-term cultures of neurons is very similar to that observed in vivo during post-natal development of whole brain. Such an in vitro model system thus may be very useful to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the evolution pattern of AChE during terminal differentiation of neurons.