Skip to main content
Log in

The multiple forms of brain acetylcholinesterase

II. A suggestion of their functional importance

  • Published:
Histochemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The pattern of the multiple forms of the acetylocholinesterase (AChE, E.C. 3.1.1.7) of the rat brain is investigated using polyacrylamide gradient micro-gel electrophoresis with regard to a possible functional importance of this individual forms. The patterns of the AChE-forms of selected regions of the CNS are compared and certain differences could be shown. After increased cholinergic input (into the hippocampus by electrical stimulation of the nc. septi medialis) an aggregation of AChE subunits is detectable. Subletal intoxication with an irreversible inhibitor of AChE is followed by a faster recovery of the smaller forms. A suggestion of a possible functional role of the multiple forms of AChE is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adamson, E.D., Ayers, S.E., Deussen, Z.A., Graham, C.F.: Analysis of the forms of acetylcholinesterase from adult mouse brain. Biochem. J. 147, 205–214 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bajgar, J.: Characterization and properties of multiple molecular forms of acetylcholinesterase. Possible evaluation in histochemistry. Acta histochem. (Jena) Suppl. 15, 123–132 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bajgar, J., žiškovský, S.: Partial characterization of soluble acetylcholinesterase isoenzymes of the rat brain. J. Neurochem. 18, 1609–1614 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Baldwin, J., Hochachka, P.W.: Functional significance of isoenzymes in thermal acclimization. Biochem. J. 116, 883–887 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Barron, K.D., Bernsohn, J.E., Hess, A.: Separation and properties of human brain esterases. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 11, 139–156 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chan, S.L., Shirachi, D.Y., Bhagava, H.N., Gardner, E., Trevor, A.J.: Purification and properties of multiple forms of brain acetylcholinesterase. J. Neurochem. 19, 2747–2758 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chippendale, T.J., Cotman, C.W., Kozar, M.D., Lynch, G.S.: Analysis of acetylcholinesterase synthesis and transport in the rat hippocampus: Recovery of acetylcholinesterase activity in the septum and hippocampus after administration of DFP. Brain Res. 81, 485–496 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, G.A., Agranoff, B.W.: Metabolic behaviour of isozymes of acetylcholinesterase. Nature 220, 277–280 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M., Webb, E.C.: The Enzymes. London: Longmans 1965

    Google Scholar 

  • Dudai, Y., Silman, J.: The effects of solubilization procedures on the release and molecular state of acetylcholinesterase from electric organ tissue. J. Neurochem. 23, 1177–1187 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ecobichon, D.J., Israel, Y.: Characterization of esterases from the electric tissues of Electrophorus by starch gel electrophoresis. Canad. J. Biochem. 45, 1099–1105 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Eränkö, O., Härkönen, M., Kokko, A., Räisänen, L.: Histochemical and starch gel electrophoretic characterization of desmo- and lyoesterases in the sympathetic and spinal ganglia of the rat. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 12, 570–581 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fukuda, T.: Applications of the methylgreen-pyronin (Brachet's test) into the thiocholine method for histochemical demonstration of neuronal acetylcholinesterase. Bull. Osaka Med. School 5, 47–53 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fukuda, T., Koelle, G.B.: The cytological localization of intracellular neuronal acetylcholinesterase. J. Cytol. 5, 433–440 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gisinger, V., Venkov, L., Gautron, J.: Acetylcholinesterase et biosynthese des proteines du ganglion sympathique au repros et stimule. J. Neurochem. 25, 737–748 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodkin, P., Howard, B.D.: Studies on acetylcholinesterase of rat brain synaptosomal plasma membranes. J. Neurochem. 22, 129–136 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gordon, M.A., Chan, S.L., Trevor, A.J.: Active site determinations on forms of mammalian brain and eel acetylcholinesterase. Biochem. J. 157, 69–76 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Habibulla, H., Newburgh, R.W.: Studies of acetylcholinesterase of the central nervous system of Galleria mellonella. Insect Biochem. 3, 231–242 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hüther, G., Luppa, H.: Demonstration of acetylcholinesterase by semipermeable membrane technique: Estimation of soluble and fixation-labile portions in different regions of the central nervous system. Histochemistry 51, 245–251 (1977a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hüther, G., Luppa, H.: The multiple forms of brain acetylcholinesterase: I. Micro-electrophoresis and topochemical analysis of the pattern. Histochemistry 53, 317–325 (1977b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Iqbal, Z., Talwar, G.P.: Acetylcholinesterase in developing chick embryo brain. J. Neurochem. 18, 1261–1267 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerkut, G.A., Emson, P.C., Brimblecombe, W., Beesley, P., Oliver, G.W., Walker, R.J.: Changes in the properties of acetylcholinesterase in the invertebrate central nervous system. In: Progress in Brain Research, 36, 65–67 (1972)

  • Koelle, G.B.: The histochemical differentiation of types of cholinesterase and their localization in tissues of the cat. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Therap. 100, 158–179 (1950)

    Google Scholar 

  • Koelle, W.A., Hossaini, K.S., Akbarzadeh, P., Koelle, G.B.: Histochemical evidence and consequences of the occurrence of isoenzymes of acetylcholinesterase. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 18, 812–819 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, P.R., Shute, C.C.D., Silver, A.: Conformation from choline acetyltransferase analyses of a massive cholinergic innervation to the rat hippocampus. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 191, 215–224 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lubinska, L., Niemierko, S., Oderfeld, B., Szwarc, L.: The distribution of acetylcholinesterase in peripheral nerves. J. Neurochem. 10, 25–41 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Maynard, D.M.: Esterases in crusteacean nervous system. 1. Electrophoretic studies in lobsters. J. Exp. Zool. 157, 251–266 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Millar, D.B., Grafius, M.A.: The subunit molecular weight of acetylcholinesterase. FEBS Lett. 12, 61–64 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Patočka, J., Bajgar, J.: Some enzymatic properties of human brain acetylcholinesterase. FEBS Lett. 2, 195–197 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillis, J.W.: Acetylcholinesterase in the feline cerebellum. J. Neurochem. 15, 691–698 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rieger, F., Massoulie, B.S., Cartaud, J.: Observation par microscopie electronique des formes allongées et globulaires de l'acetylcholinestérase de gymnote (Electrophorus electricus). Europ. J. Biochem. 34, 539–547 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shute, C.C.D., Lewis, P.R.: The use of cholinesterase techniques combined with operative procedures to follow nervous pathways in the brain. In: Histochemistry of cholinesterases. Symposium Basel 1960, Bibl. Anat. Vol. 2, pp. 34–49. Basel-New York: S. Karger 1961

    Google Scholar 

  • Skangiel-Kramska, J., Niermierko, S.: Soluble and particle bound acetylcholinesterase and its isoenzymes in peripheral nerves. J. Neurochem. 24, 1135–1141 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Storm-Mathisen, J.: Quantitative histochemistry of acetylcholinesterase in rat hippocampal region correlated to histochemical staining. J. Neurochem. 17, 739–750 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Storm-Mathisen, J., Fonnum, F.: Localization of transmitter candidates in the hippocampal region. In: Progress in brain research Vol. 36, pp. 41–58. Amsterdam-New York-London: Elsevier Publ. Compl. 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsuji, S., Rieger, F., Peltre, G., Massoulie, J., Benda, P.: Acetylcholinesterase du muscle, de la moelle epiniere et du cerveau de gymnote. J. Neurochem. 19, 989–997 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Vijayan, V.K., Bownson, R.H.: Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of rat brain acetylcholinesterase: Isoenzymes of normal rat brain. J. Neurochem. 23, 47–53 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wenthold, R.J., Mahler, H.R., Moore, W.J.: The half life of acetylcholinesterase in mature rat brain. J. Neurochem. 22, 941–943 (1974a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wenthold, R.J., Mahler, H.R., Moore, W.J.: Properties of acetylcholinesterase from rat brain. J. Neurochem. 22, 945–949 (1974b)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

The research reported in this paper was supported by the “Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Technik der DDR”

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hüther, G., Luppa, H. & Ott, T. The multiple forms of brain acetylcholinesterase. Histochemistry 55, 55–62 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00496694

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00496694

Keywords

Navigation