Premium
CHOLINE ACETYLTRANSFERASE AND ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE IN CULTURED BRAIN CELLS FROM CHICK EMBRYOS
Author(s) -
Werner I.,
Peterson G. R.,
Shuster L.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1971.tb00176.x
Subject(s) - choline acetyltransferase , acetylcholinesterase , in vivo , choline , chemistry , endocrinology , enzyme , medicine , embryo , acetyltransferase , enzyme assay , biochemistry , biology , andrology , acetylcholine , microbiology and biotechnology , acetylation , gene
—Dissociated cells from brains of 7‐day chick embryos were grown in primary culture for as long as 20 days. Many of the plated cells grew out long processes. Others, which proliferated rapidly, formed a confluent layer of flat cells after 4‐6 days. Total DNA and protein increased five‐fold, and activity of choline acetyltransferase (EC2.3.1.6) increased about 40‐fold in 20 days. Acetylcholinesterase (EC3.1.1.7) increased three‐fold by the fourth day of culture and then declined. The pattern of increase for choline acetyltransferase was similar to that for the in vivo development of the enzyme. l ‐Thyroxine, cyclic AMP (adenosine‐3′,5′‐monophosphate) or theophylline promoted increased levels of both enzymes by 30‐200 per cent. l ‐Thyroxine also increased the activity of acetylcholinesterase in vivo by 40 per cent. When overgrowth by flat cells was prevented by the addition of 10 ‐3 m ‐5‐flourouracil, there was a decrease in the activity of choline acetyltransferase and an increase in the activity of acetylcholinesterase in comparison to control activities. The addition of 10 ‐3 m ‐morphine or cocaine produced a 30 per cent elevation in the activity of choline acetyltransferase, but this effect could be mimicked with equimolar concentrations of ammonium ion.