Purification and Characterization of a Central Cholinergic Enhancing Factor from Rat Brain: Its Identity as Phosphoethanolamine

A compound that can enhance the apparent synthesis of acetylcholine in cultured explants of the medial septal nucleus has been purified from rat brain and identified as phosphoethanolamine. Acetylcholine synthesis is stimulated two- to threefold in cultures grown for 5 days in the presence of phosphoethanolamine, ethanolamine, or cytidine 5'-diphosphoethanolamine at concentrations above 100 microM. This effect appears to result from an increase in the accumulation of choline via the high-affinity, sodium-dependent uptake mechanism. The development of choline acetyltransferase activity is not affected. Phosphoethanolamine and ethanolamine seem to enhance the ability of developing cholinergic neurons to utilize choline accumulated via the sodium-dependent high-affinity choline uptake mechanism for the preferential production of acetylcholine without increasing the general metabolism of the cultures. Choline itself and its related derivatives are not stimulatory for these effects.     

Postnatal Development of the Acetylcholine System in Different Parts of the Rat Cerebellum

Abstract: The components of the cholinergic nervous system, i.e., choline acetyltransferase, acetylcholinesterase, sodium-dependent high-affinity choline uptake, acetylcholine, and the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, in the developing archi- and paleocerebellum of the rat have been investigated by biochemical methods. A close correlation between the development of the different elements of the system has been demonstrated in the two areas. The cholinergic structure develops first in the archicerebellum, which displays high levels of choline acetyltransferase, acetylcholinesterase, acetylcholine, and sodium-dependent high-affinity choline uptake. The paleocerebellum receives a sparser cholinergic innervation during development. The differences in the values for these components in the cerebellum as a whole may reflect the development of cholinergic and noncholinergic neuronal structures. It is concluded that the development of the cholinergic system cannot be analyzed in the cerebellum as a whole; rather specific regions such as the archi-, paleo-, or neocerebellum must be examined.     

SODIUM-DEPENDENT HIGH AFFINITY CHOLINE UPTAKE: A REGULATORY STEP IN THE SYNTHESIS OF ACETYLCHOLINE

The sodium-dependent high affinity choline uptake into synaptosomes from rat brain has been studied after in vivo treatments which would alter the activity of cholinergic neurons. We utilized a number of treatments to reduce the activity of cholinergc neurons in the brain. Administration of pentobarbital (65 mg/kg), chloral hydrate (40 mg/kg) and γbutyrelactone (750 mg/kg) caused a 50-80% reduction in sodium-dependent high affinity choline uptake in several brain regions (30 min). This depression was not found 24 h after injection. Interruption of the cholinergic septal-hippocampal or habenuleinterpeduncular tracts by lesions (10 min-1 h) also caused a similar, large reduction in sodium-dependent high affinity choline uptake in the hippocampus and the interpeduncular nucleus respectively. We reversed the inactivity after pentobarbital administration by direct electrical stimulation of the cholinergic septal-hippocampal tract. Stimulation (40 Hz) for 10-15 min completely reversed the depression in sodium-dependent high affinity choline uptake. Stimulation at lower frequencies or for shorter times caused a partial reversal. Administration of pentylenetetrazol (75 mg/kg), a convulsant, was utilized to increase the activity of central cholinergic neurons. After drug administration, we found a large (60%) increase in sodium-de-pendent high affinity choline uptake. This increase was not found in the hippocampus when cholinergic afferents were interrupted by septal lesion prior to drug administration. We also examined the uptake after administration of cholinergic drugs. Oxotremorine (0.75 mg/kg), a muscarinic agonist which reduces acetylcholine release and turnover, caused a reduction in uptake. On the other hand, administration of scopolamine (5 mg/kg), a cholinergic antagonist which increases acetylcholine turnover, caused an increase in sodium-dependent high affinity choline uptake. Addition of any drug utilized, drectly to uptake samples, did not alter uptake. We examined the conversion of [³H]choline to [³H]acetylcholine in hippocampal synaptosomes after septal lesion, pentylenetetrazol administration and in untreated controls. In all cases, 60-70% of the total sodium-dependent tritium content was present as [³H]acetylcholine. Evidence was presented that homoexchange is not or is less involved in choline uptake than in GABA uptake. A kinetic analysis of sodium-dependent high affinity choline uptake was performed after all treatments. We found changes in V_max, after all treatments, which were consistently in the same direction as the alterations in activity. The proposal is made that the sodium-dependent high affinity choline uptake is coupled to cholinergic activity in such a way as to regulate the entry of choline for the maintenance of acetylcholine synthesis. The findings also lead us to propose that sodium-dependent high affinity choline uptake in vitro be utilized as a rapid, relative measure of the activity of cholinergic nerve terminals in vivo.     

High-Affinity Choline Transporter

The cholinergic neurons have long been a model for biochemical studies of neurotransmission. The components responsible for cholinergic neurotransmission, such as choline acetyltransferase, vesicular acetylcholine transporter, nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, and acetylcholine esterase, have long been defined as functional units and then identified as molecular entities. Another essential component in the cholinergic synapses is the one responsible for choline uptake from the synaptic cleft, which is thought to be the rate-limiting step in acetylcholine synthesis. A choline uptake system with a high affinity for choline has long been assumed to be present in cholinergic neurons. Very recently, the molecular entity for the high-affinity choline transporter was identified and is designated CHT1. CHT1 mediates Na⁺- and Cl^–-dependent choline uptake with high sensitivity to hemicholinium-3. CHT1 has been characterized both at the molecular and functional levels and was confirmed to be specifically expressed in cholinergic neurons.     

Exogenous Choline Enhances the Synthesis of Acetylcholine Only Under Conditions of Increased Cholinergic Neuronal Activity

Abstract: The effect of choline (60 mg/kg, i.p.) on fluphenazine- and pentylenetetrazol-induced alterations in the concentration of acetylcholine (ACh) and/or the rate of sodium-dependent high-affinity choline uptake (HACU) in rat striatum and hippocampus was studied. Systemic administration of the dopamine receptor blocking agent fluphenazine hydrochloride (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) decreased the concentration of ACh in the striatum; this effect was prevented by the prior administration of choline. The central nervous system stimulant pentylenetetrazol (30 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced the concentration of ACh in both striatum and hippocampus and increased the velocity of HACU in the hippocampus. Pretreatment with choline totally prevented the depletion of ACh induced by pentylenetetrazol in the striatum. In the hippocampus, prior administration of choline prevented the pentylenetetrazol-induced increase in the rate of HACU and attenuated the effect of pentylenetetrazol on the levels of ACh. Results indicate that the acute administration of choline antagonizes pharmacologically induced alterations in cholinergic activity as assessed by the rate of HACU and the steady-state concentration of ACh. Furthermore, data support the hypothesis that the administration of choline increases the ability of central cholinergic neurons to synthesize ACh under conditions of increased neuronal activity.     

Identification of Sodium-Dependent, High-Affinity Choline Uptake Sites in Rat Brain with [3H]Hemicholinium-3

[3H]Hemicholinium-3 (HC-3) was used to label sodium-dependent, high-affinity choline uptake sites in regions of rat brain. Autoradiography revealed a high density of [3H]HC-3 binding sites in brain regions with a high density of cholinergic terminals, such as the interpeduncular nucleus, caudate-putamen, and olfactory tubercle. This distribution of [3H]HC-3 binding sites was in close agreement with the amounts of choline acetyltransferase in specific nuclei and subregions of rat brain. Destruction of presynaptic cholinergic projections in the cerebral cortex and the basal ganglia by injection of excitotoxins reduced [3H]HC-3 binding by 40-50%. These data indicate that sodium-dependent [3H]HC-3 binding sites are related to the choline transport system present in cholinergic neurons.     

Development of cholinergic neurons of the rat retina

Biochemical and electrophysiological features of cholinergic neurons from the developing rat retina were analyzed in an attempt to identify important periods in the maturation of these neurons. Acetylcholine synthesis was assayed in intact, isolated retinas; choline acetyltransferase activity was measured in homogenates. Spontaneous and evoked acetylcholine release and certain aspects of synapse formation were examined in a retina-muscle cell culture system. In this system, retinal cells from rats of different ages were dissociated with trypsin and added to previously cultured rat striated muscle cells which served as postsynaptic targets for cholinergic neurons. The results indicate that two developmental periods can be described. The first stage occurs during the final week of gestation well before morphological signs of synapses appear. During this early period, cholinergic neurons acquire the ability to synthesize and release acetylcholine and to form functional synapses. These developing neurons progressively lose their ability to form and to maintain synapses with an inappropriate target. A second stage of maturation begins at the end of the first postnatal week. In this phase, dramatic increases in acetylcholine synthesis, choline acetyltransferase activity, and high-affinity choline uptake are coupled temporally with the morphological differentiation of synapses.     

ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN [3H]CHOLINE UPTAKE ACTIVATION AND [3H]ACETYLCHOLINE RELEASE

The depolarization-induced, calcium-dependent release of [³H]ACh from hippocampal synaptosomes was studied in a superfusion system. Release increased, with increasing depolarization. Barium and strontium effectively substituted for calcium during the depolarization, but magnesium inhibited the release. Releasable [³H]ACh is derived from the sodium-dependent component of the [³H]choline uptake which points out the physiologic importance of sodium-dependent choline transport. It is concluded that [³H]ACh release in this system has the same properties as neurotransmitter release in many other systems. Previous studies have shown that treatments which alter the activity of cholinergic neurons in vivo result in parallel changes in sodium-dependent choline uptake in vitro. When synaptosomes were utilized from animals treated to reduce cholinergic activity, there was a reduced release following the reduced uptake. Conversely, when synaptosomes were taken from animals treated to increase sodium-dependent choline uptake, there was an increase in the release. It is concluded that the changes in sodium-dependent choline uptake in vitro consequent to changes in neuronal activity in vivo result in parallel changes in releasable ACh. A comparison was made between the effect of a number of ions and agents on release and their effect on the in vitro, depolarization-induced activation of sodium-dependent choline uptake. Barium and strontium, ions which substitute for calcium in the release process, support the in vitro activation of uptake. Vinblastine and Bay a 1040, compounds which block release, prevented the in vitro activation of sodium-dependent choline uptake. However, magnesium blocked release in a dose-dependent manner, but did not block the activation of uptake in vitro. Rather, magnesium substituted for calcium and supported the activation of uptake in a dose-dependent fashion. It is concluded that acetylcholine release is not necessary for the activation of choline uptake.     

Effects of acetylcholine on sodium-dependent high-affinity glutamate transport in rat striatal homogenates

Incubation of rat striatal tissue in the presence of acetylcholine, carbachol, oxotremorine, or nicotine results in a significant decrease in the sodium-dependent high-affinity glutamate uptake (HAGU). The cholinergic inhibitory effect on glutamate transport is no more detectable in the presence of atropine, a cholinergic receptor antagonist. These data support the hypothesis that glutamatergic nerve ending activity in the striatum is modulated by cholinergic neurons. The effects would involve both muscarinic and nicotinic presynaptic receptors located on the corticostriatal glutamatergic terminals.     

Choline Uptake by the Neuroblastoma X Glioma Hybrid, NG108-15

The neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid clone NG108-15 is able to release acetylcholine upon depolarization and form cholinergic neuromuscular synapses in culture. Normal functioning of cholinergic synapses is thought to be dependent on the ability of a neuron to take up extracellular choline, since neurons are unable to synthesize choline de novo. For these two reasons it became important to characterize the choline uptake system of NG108-15 cells. The uptake system appears to bear little if any resemblance to the Na⁺-dependent high-affinity choline uptake system normally associated with cholinergic neurons. Although the cells appear to possess both high- and low- affinity choline uptake systems, neither system is dependent on Na⁺ and uptake actually is increased about 60% by the substitution of sucrose for NaCl. Acetylcholine synthesis also is not dependent on Na⁺, since sucrose, substituted for NaCl, also stimulates acetylcholine synthesis. Changes in the concentrations of the other ions in the uptake medium have little effect on uptake, with the exception that elevated Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺ reverses the stimulation of choline uptake produced by substitution of sucrose for NaCl. Choline uptake is inhibited by hemicholinium-3, but only at high concentrations of the drug (IC₅₀= 30–80 μm ). The metabolic poisons cyanide and iodoacetate inhibit uptake by only 30-40%. Growth of the cells in N⁶,O^2′ dibutyryladenosine-3′,5′-cyclic monoposphate, which promotes functional and morphological differentiation of the cells, decreased slightly the total amount of choline taken up but had no additional effect on the uptake system. Thus, it appears that NG108-15 cells are capable of forming functional cholinergic synapses with muscle cells even though the neuroblastoma does not possess the high-affinity choline uptake system normally associated with cholinergic neurons.     

Arachidonic Acid Inhibits Choline Uptake and Depletes Acetylcholine Content in Rat Cerebral Cortical Synaptosomes

The effects of arachidonic acid on [3H]choline uptake, on [3H]acetylcholine accumulation, and on endogenous acetylcholine content and release in rat cerebral cortical synaptosomes were investigated. Arachidonic acid (10-150 microM) produced a dose-dependent inhibition of high-affinity [3H]choline uptake. Low-affinity [3H]choline uptake was also inhibited by arachidonic acid. Fatty acids inhibited high-affinity [3H]choline uptake with the following order of potency: arachidonic greater than palmitoleic greater than oleic greater than lauric; stearic acid (up to 150 microM) had no effect. Inhibition of [3H]choline uptake by arachidonic acid was reversed by bovine serum albumin. In the presence of arachidonic acid, there was an increased accumulation of choline in the medium, but this did not account for the inhibition of [3H]choline uptake produced by the fatty acid. Arachidonic acid inhibited the synthesis of [3H]acetylcholine from [3H]choline, and this inhibition was equal in magnitude to the inhibition of high-affinity [3H]choline uptake produced by the fatty acid. A K+-stimulated increase in [3H]acetylcholine synthesis was inhibited completely by arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid also depleted endogenous acetylcholine stores. Concentrations of arachidonic acid and hemicholinium-3 that produced equivalent inhibition of [3H]choline uptake also produced equivalent depletion of acetylcholine content. In the presence of eserine, arachidonic acid had no effect on acetylcholine release. The results suggest that arachidonic acid may deplete acetylcholine content by inhibiting high-affinity choline uptake and subsequent acetylcholine synthesis. This raises the possibility that arachidonic acid may play a role in the impairment of cholinergic transmission seen in cerebral ischemia and other conditions in which large amounts of the free fatty acid are released in brain.     

The characterization of a sodium-dependent high affinity choline uptake system unassociated with acetylcholine biosynthesis

The cardiac ganglion of the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, was incubated in Chao's solution containing 0.01 microM [3H]choline at room temperature (25 +/- 2 degrees C) and the ganglion readily accumulated the radiolabel. The ganglion uptake of [3H]choline was linear over 60 min. Kinetic analysis revealed dual choline uptake systems within the cardiac ganglion, a high affinity uptake system (Km = 2.2 microM, Vmax = 0.16 pmoles/mg/min) and a low affinity system (Km = 92.3 microM, Vmax = 3.08 pmoles/mg/min). The high affinity uptake system was sodium-dependent and inhibited by micromolar concentrations of hemicholinium-3. A 15 min pre-exposure of the ganglion to Chao's solution containing 90 mM potassium stimulated a significant increase in choline uptake. There was no detectable synthesis of [3H]acetylcholine from the [3H]choline taken up by the cardiac ganglion. The major portion of the extractable label appeared in a fraction which co-electrophoresed with phosphorylcholine. These results suggest that the sodium-dependent high affinity [3H]choline uptake system of the cardiac ganglion subserves a specific requirement for choline which is unrelated to a cholinergic function.     

Utilization of sodium-dependent high affinity choline uptake in vitro as a measure of the activity of cholinergic neurons in vivo.

Previous reports indicate that alterations of activity of cholinergic neurons $\text{in vivo}$ are followed by parallel changes in sodium-dependent high affinity choline uptake $\text{in vitro}$. These results are consistent with the proposal that this portion of choline uptake is regulatory in the synthesis of ACh. These results also suggest the possibility of utilizing sodium-dependent high affinity choline uptake as a measure of the relative state of cholinergic activity $\text{in vivo}$. In this study, we administer a number of drugs reported to alter turnover and release of ACh (both are measures of cholinergic activity $\text{in vivo}$, and subsequently examine sodium-dependent high affinity choline uptake $\text{in vitro}$. Administration of pentobarbital, chloral hydrate, morphine, physostigmine, Δ⁹ THC, hemicholinium-3 and oxotremorine, drugs which decrease ACh turnover and release, caused a reduction in choline uptake. Conversely, administration of pentylenetetrazol, atropine, scopolamine, and haloperidol, drugs which increase ACh turnover and release, caused an increase in choline uptake $\text{in vitro}$. These findings support the proposal that sodium-dependent high affinity choline uptake can be used as a relative measure of the activity of cholinergic neurons $\text{in vivo}$.     

Methylmercury-Induced Movement and Postural Disorders in Developing Rat: High-Affinity Uptake of Choline, Glutamate, and γ-Aminobutyric Acid in the Cerebral Cortex and Caudate-Putamen

Subcutaneous administration of methylmercuric chloride to neonatal rats resulted in movement and postural disorders during the fourth postnatal week. Sodium-dependent high-affinity uptake of radiolabeled choline, glutamate, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was measured in homogenates of cerebral cortex and caudate-putamen. There was a significant decrease in the uptake of [3H]choline in the cerebral cortex, but not in the caudate-putamen, at the onset of neurological impairment (73-75%) and at one subclinical stage of toxicity (58-64%). No significant differences in [3H]glutamate uptake were detected in either region. The uptake of [3H]GABA in the presence of 1 mM beta-alanine, which was employed to inhibit the glial uptake process, was reduced significantly in both the cerebral cortex and caudate-putamen at the onset of neurological impairment (50-62%) and at one subclinical stage (40-51%). This decrease in [3H]GABA uptake is consistent with the results of previous studies using this animal model, which demonstrated a preferential degeneration of GABAergic neurons in the cerebral cortex and caudate-putamen of methylmercury-treated animals. Because the high-affinity uptake of choline is the rate-limiting step for acetylcholine synthesis by cholinergic neurons, the decrease in [3H]choline uptake may reflect an abnormal development of cholinergic innervation of the cerebral cortex.     

Metabolism of acetylcholine in the nervous system of Aplysia californica. II. Reginal localization and characterization of choline uptake

The choline required for synthesis of acetylcholine is derived exogenously by Aplysia ganglia. Under physiological conditions choline was taken up primarlily by neuropile and nerves and not by cholinergic cell bodies. In addition, compared with their contents of choline acetyltransferase, those components of nervous tissue which contain nerve terminals and axons synthesized acetylcholine far more efficiently. Choline was accumulated by high and low affinity uptake processes; the high affinity process appeared to be characteristic of cholinergic nuerons (Swartz, J. H., M. L. Eisenstadt, and H. Cedar.1975. J. Gen. Physiol. 65:255). The two uptake processes were similarly affected by temperature with a Q10 of 2.8. Both were dependent on a variety of ions in a complicated manner. High affinity uptake seemed to be more dependent on Na+, showed greater inhibition by ouabain, and was selectively inhibited by oxotremorine. We found that the functional state of neurons did not alter uptake of radioactive choline by either process, nor did it change the conversion to radioactive acetylcholine.     

Antibodies directed against ubiquitin inhibit high affinity [3H]choline uptake in rat cerebral cortical synaptosomes

Sodium-dependent [3H]choline uptake and coupled [3H]acetylcholine synthesis were inhibited in rat cerebral cortical synaptosomes in a dose- (1-10 micrograms/ml) and time-dependent manner by affinity-purified antibodies directed against ubiquitin (anti-Ub). Neither sodium-independent [3H]choline uptake nor [3H]acetylcholine release was affected by up to 10 micrograms/ml anti-Ub, indicating that the cholinergic terminals were not depolarized by the anti-Ub. Binding of anti-Ub to synaptosomes, as measured with 125I-protein A, was saturable and occurred over the same concentration range (1-10 micrograms/ml) at which uptake inhibition was observed. Although preimmune IgG bound to the synaptosome preparation to a greater extent and was apparently not readily saturable, this fortuitous binding was without effect on high affinity choline uptake and conversion to acetylcholine. The results suggest the presence of a ubiquitin-protein conjugate on the synaptosomal surface and a functional relationship between this protein conjugate and the sodium-dependent choline transport system.     

Changes in choline acetyltransferase activity and high-affinity choline uptake, but not in acetylcholinesterase activity and muscarinic cholinergic receptors, in rat somatosensory cortex after sciatic nerve injury

Selected cholinergic markers (choline acetyltransferase, acetylcholinesterase, muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, high-affinity choline uptake) were studied in the hindlimb representation areas of the rat somatosensory cortex and within the visual cortex 1 to 63 days after unilateral transection of the sciatic nerve. In the contralateral somatosensory cortex, peripheral deafferentation resulted in a significant reduction of choline acetyltransferase activity (by 15%) 3 days after sciatic nerve injury, and in a significant reduction of high-affinity choline uptake (by 30%) 1 day after nerve transection, in comparison to untreated control rats. Investigations in individual cortical layers revealed that the decrease of both choline acetyltransferase activity and high-affinity choline uptake sites was mainly due to reductions in cortical layer V. Acetylcholinesterase activity and [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate binding to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors were not affected by unilateral transection of the sciatic nerve. In the ipsilateral somatosensory cortex, as well as in the visual cortex at both cortical hemispheres, no significant changes in the cholinergic parameters studied could be detected. The data indicate that peripheral deafferentation of the somatosensory cortex results in a transient change of presynaptic cholinergic parameters within the affected somatosensory area as early as 1 to 3 days after the lesion; thus, they emphasize the involvement of cholinergic mechanisms in cortical reorganizational events.     

Changes in Choline Acetyltransferase Activity and High-Affinity Choline Uptake,but Not in Acetylcholinesterase Activity and Muscarinic Cholinergic Receptors,in Rat Somatosensory Cortex after Sciatic Nerve Injury

Selected cholinergic markers (choline acetyltransferase, acetylcholinesterase, muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, high-affinity choline uptake) were studied in the hindlimb representation areas of the rat somatosensory cortex and within the visual cortex 1 to 63 days after unilateral transection of the sciatic nerve. In the contralateral somatosensory cortex, peripheral deafferentation resulted in a significant reduction of choline acetyltransferase activity (by 15%) 3 days after sciatic nerve injury, and in a significant reduction of high-affinity choline uptake (by 30%) 1 day after nerve transection, in comparison to untreated control rats. Investigations in individual cortical layers revealed that the decrease of both choline acetyltransferase activity and high-affinity choline uptake sites was mainly due to reductions in cortical layer V. Acetylcholinesterase activity and [³H]quinuclidinyl benzilate binding to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors were not affected by unilateral transection of the sciatic nerve. In the ipsilateral somatosensory cortex, as well as in the visual cortex at both cortical hemispheres, no significant changes in the cholinergic parameters studied could be detected. The data indicate that peripheral deafferentation of the somatosensory cortex results in a transient change of presynaptic cholinergic parameters within the affected somatosensory area as early as 1 to 3 days after the lesion; thus, they emphasize the involvement of cholinergic mechanisms in cortical reorganizational events.