ENZYMIC ACTIVITIES IN DISSOCIATED NEURONS DIFFERENTIATED IN CULTURES IN VITRO

Abstract— The appearance of the enzymes succinate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, monoamine oxidase and acetylcholinesterase in cultures of dissociated spinal cord, dorsal root ganglia and cerebellum removed at different stages of development have been studied. The neurons differentiated in vitro have morphological and cytochemical characteristics similar to those of the normally developing neurons. On the basis of the results obtained, it is argued that in this experimental model the histogenetic determination of the neuroblasts at the time of the explant may start and bring to an end the morphological and biochemical differentiation of the various types of neurons even under conditions extremely different from those of normal development.