Direct comparison of the rapid axonal transport of norepinephrine and dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity

Stop-flow techniques were used to examine the rapid axonal transport of norepinephrine in rabbit sciatic nerves. When the midpoint of a nerve incubated in vitro was cooled to 2°C while the remainder was kept at 37°C, norepinephrine accumulated proximal to the cooled region at a rate corresponding to an average transport velocity between 5 and 6 mm/hr in a distal direction. Since only about half of the norepinephrine appeared to be free to move, the mean velocity of the moving fraction was probably twice as great. No norepinephrine accumulated distal to a broad cooled region under conditions in which there would have been a significant accumulation of dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity. Therefore, unlike dopamine-β-hydroxylase, norepinephrine may not be subject to rapid retrograde transport. When nerves that had been locally cooled for 1.5 hr were rewarmed uniformly to 37°C, a wave of norepinephrine moved exclusively in a distal direction. The peak of this wave moved at a velocity of 12.2 ± 0.5 mm/hr or 293 ± 12 mm/day; the front of the wave moved at about 18 mm/hr. or 430 mm/day; and the tail probably moved faster than 6 mm/hr. This spectrum of velocities was virtually identical to the one displayed by the wave of dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity that was generated under the same conditions. Our results are consistent with the conclusion that all axonal structures containing norepinephrine also contain dopamine-β-hydroxylase, but they are not consistent with the converse.     

Stop-flow: A new technique for measuring axonal transport,and its application to the transport of dopamine-β-hydroxylase

An apparatus was devised which utilizes local cooling to reversibly interrupt the axonal transport of dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH) in rabbit sciatic nerves in vitro. Lowering the temperature of a short region of nerve to between 1 and 3°C, while keeping the remainder at 37°C, caused DBH activity to accumulate in and proximal to the cooled region. This accumulation was evident after 0.5 hr of cooling and increased in a nearly linear fashion with time for about 3 hr. The cooling-induced interruption in transport was rapidly reversed when nerves were rewarmed to 37°C. Upon rewarming after local cooling for 1.5 hr, a peak of accumulated DBH activity migrated toward the distal end of the nerve at a velocity of 300 ± 17 mm/day. This velocity was maintained for as long as the peak could be followed and was four times greater than the average velocity estimated from the rate of accumulation of DBH activity above a ligature at the distal end of these same nerves. It is concluded that ligation experiments grossly underestimate the true velocity of axonal transport of DBH and that the present technique offers great advantages in permitting direct study of the migration of separate axonal compartments of transported materials.     

Stop-flow: a new technique for measuring axonal transport, and its application to the transport of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase.

An apparatus was devised which utilizes local cooling to reversibly interrupt the axonal transport of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) in rabbit sciatic nerves in vitro. Lowering the temperature of a short region of nerve to between 1 and 3 degrees C, while keeping the remainder at 37 degrees C, caused DBH activity to accumulate in and proximal to the cooled region. This accumulation was evident after 0.5 hr of cooling and increased in a nearly linear fashion with time for about 3 hr. The cooling-induced interruption in transport was rapidly reversed when nerves were rewarmed to 37 degrees C. Upon rewarming after local cooling for 1.5 hr, a peak of accumulated DBH activity migrated toward the distal end of the nerve at a velocity of 300 +/- 17 mm/day. This velocity was maintained for as long as the peak could be followed and was four times greater than the average velocity estimated from the rate of accumulation of DBH activity above a ligature at the distal end of these same nerves. It is concluded that ligation experiments grossly underestimate the true velocity of axonal transport of DBH and that the present technique offers great advantages in permitting direct study of the migration of separate axonal compartments of transported materials.     

Temperature-dependence of rapid axonal transport in sympathetic nerves of the rabbit

Stop-flow techniques were used to determine how temperature affected the axonal transport of dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH) activity in rabbit sciatic nerves in vitro. These nerves were cooled locally to 2°C for 1.5 hr, which caused a sharp peak of DBH activity to accumulate above the cooled region. Accumulated DBH was then allowed to resume migration at various temperatures. From direct measurements of the rate of migration, we found that the axonal transport velocity of DBH was a simple exponential function of temperature between 13°C and 42°C. Over this range of temperatures, the results were well described by the equation: V = 0.546(1.09)^T, where V is velocity in mm/hr, and T is temperature in degrees centigrade. The Q₁₀ between 13°C and 42°C was 2.33, and an Arrhenius plot of the natural logarithm of velocity versus the reciprocal of absolute temperature yielded an apparent activation energy of 14.8 kcal. Transport virtually halted when temperature was raised to 47°C, although only about half of the DBH activity disappeared during incubation at this temperature. Another transition occurred at 13°C; below this temperature, velocity fell precipitously. This was not an artifact peculiar to the stop-flow system since the rate of accumulation of DBH activity proximal to a cold-block also decreased abruptly when the temperature above the block was reduced below 13°C.     

FAST AXOPLASMIC TRANSPORT OF ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE IN MAMMALIAN NERVE FIBRES

Abstract— Acetylcholinesterase (acetylcholine acetyl-hydrolase, EC 3.1.1.7) is carried down mammalian nerve fibres by the fast axoplasmic transport system. This conclusion was derived from experiments involving the ligation of cat sciatic nerves at two sites placed 83.5 mm apart. The enzyme accumulated in segments of nerve proximal to the upper ligation in a linear fashion over a period of at least 20 h. At approximately 5 h the accumulation of enzyme ceased in the nerve segment proximal to the distal ligation within the isolated length of nerve, an observation indicating that the portion of AChE free to move within the isolated nerve had been depleted during this period of time. The freely moving fraction of AChE was estimated to be 15% of the total enzyme activity present in the nerve (10% in the proximo-distal direction and 5% in the retrograde direction). The rate of AChE downflow (as estimated from the intercept of the curve plotting accumulation with the line denoting when depletion started) was 431 mm/day within a 95% confidence interval of 357–543 mm/day. In view of the variability, our results demonstrated that AChE was being carried by the fast axoplasmic transport system, which in earlier studies was estimated to have a characteristic rate close to 410 mm/day.
An accumulation of AChE was also found on the distal side of the ligations that represented a movement of AChE in the distal-proximal direction in the fibres. This retrograde transport was smaller in amount (about one-half) than the proximo-distal rate of transport, or close to 220 mm/day. The rate of AChE transport was discussed in relation to the 'transport filament' hypothesis of fast axoplasmic transport.     

EFFECTS OF COLCHICINE ON AXONAL TRANSPORT IN PERIPHERAL NERVES

—Colchicine injected intracisternally markedly inhibited the rapid migration (300-400 mm/day) of labelled proteins in the hypoglossal and vagus nerve of the rabbit. The transport of acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7) and choline acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.6) previously shown to move with the slow (5-26 mm/day) phase of axoplasmic transport in these nerves, was only partially blocked. In view of this differential effect on axonal flow, we suggest that the neurotubules, on which colchicine acts preferentially, are primarily involved in the rapid (300-400 mm/day) axoplasmic flow. After local injection of colchicine into the nerves both the rapidly migrating labelled proteins and the enzymes (AChE and ChAc) accumulated above the site of injection to the same degree as they accumulate above a nerve ligation. Since this blockage of enzyme transport occurred after concentrations of colchicine much higher than those used for intracisternal injections these findings after local injection may represent more severe effects on axonal transport systems.     

AXOPLASMIC TRANSPORT OF CHOLINE ACETYLTRANSFERASE ACTIVITY IN MICE: EFFECT OF AGE AND NEUROTOMY

—We studied the axoplasmic transport of choline acetyltransferase (CAT) activity in sciatic nerves of normal mice of various ages. For at least 3 days after unilateral ligation of sciatic nerves of 6 and 30-week-old mice, the CAT activity in the ligated nerve increased as a linear function of time and the increase was confined to the 3 mm length of nerve immediately proximal to the ligature. The rate of increase of CAT activity in the ligated nerves of the 30-week-old mice was only 45 ± 6% that of the 6-week-old mice, whereas the CAT activity of non-ligated sciatic nerves of the older mice was 87 ± 6% more than that of the younger mice (n = 18, P < 0·001). The average velocity of axoplasmic transport of CAT activity was five times greater in the younger mice (1·5 ± 0·2 mm/day vs 0·3 ± 0·1 mm/day, n = 6, P < 0·01). Even greater differences were observed between still younger and older animals: the av velocity of axoplasmic transport of 2-week-old mice (3·5 ± 0·2 mm/day) was 17·5 times greater than that of 36-week-old mice (0·2 ± 0·1 mm/day). We also studied the axoplasmic transport of CAT activity in 6-week-old mice after unilateral section of the sciatic nerve. For at least 3 months after the operation, there were no differences between the sectioned nerves and the intact contralateral nerves with respect to the increase in CAT activity immediately proximal to a ligature placed at various times after neurotomy and one day before sacrifice. On the other hand, there was a reduction in the CAT activity of more proximal segments of the sectioned nerves. The reduction of CAT activity was maximal (52 ± 3%) 3 weeks after the operation when the maximum increase (2·5-fold) in the av velocity of axoplasmic transport of CAT activity was recorded (n = 6, P < 0·001). The inclusion of purified (100-fold) mouse brain CAT activity in the assays for the CAT activity of nerve segments demonstrated that the differences in content and rate of transport were not due to the presence of activators or inhibitors of CAT activity. These differences probably reflect physiologic changes in the axoplasmic transport of cholinergic neurons during development and regeneration.     

Temperature-dependence of rapid axonal transport in sympathetic nerves of the rabbit.

Stop-flow techniques were used to determine how temperature affected the axonal transport of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activity in rabbit sciatic nerves in vitro. These nerves were cooled locally to 2 degrees C for 1.5 hr, which caused a sharp peak of DBH activity to accumulate above the cooled region. Accumulated DBH was then allowed to resume migration at various temperatures. From direct measurements of the rate of migration, we found that the axonal transport velocity of DBH was a simple exponential function of temperature between 13 degrees C and 42 degrees C. Over this range of temperatures, the results were well described by the equation: V=0.546(1.09)T, where V is velocity in mm/hr, and T is temperature in degrees centigrade. The Q10 between 13 degrees and 42 degrees C was 2.33, and an Arrhenius plot of the natural logarithm of velocity versus the reciprocal of absolute temperature yielded an apparent activation energy of 14.8 kcal. Transport virtually halted when temperature was raised to 47 degrees C, although only about half of the DBH activity disappeared during incubation at this temperature. Another transition occurred at 13 degrees C; below this temperature, velocity fell precipitously. This was not an artifact peculiar to the stop-flow system since the rate of accumulation of DBH activity proximal to a cold-block also decreased abruptly when the temperature above the block was reduced below 13 degrees C.     

AXONAL TRANSPORT OF CATECHOLAMINE SYNTHESIZING AND METABOLIZING ENZYMES

The rates of accumulation of the catecholamine synthesizing and metabolizing enzymes proximal to a ligation on the sciatic nerve of the rat were studied. Dopamine-β hydroxylase (EC 1.14.2.1) and tyrosine hydroxylase (EC 1.14.3a) accumulated at a similar rapid rate, and catechol-O-methyl-transferase (EC 2.1.1.6), choline acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.6) and monoamine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.4) accumulated at the same slow rate, whereas DOPA decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.26) accumulated at an intermediate rate. Based on clearance of the rapidly accumulating enzymes, absolute flow rates were estimated to be: 106-167 mm/24 h for tyrosine hydroxylase; 138-185 mm/24 h for dopamine-β-hydroxylase; and 36-86 mm/24 h for DOPA decarboxylase. In contrast, the mean rate of transport of the slowly accumulating enzymes (monomine oxidase, catechol-O-methyltransferase and choline acetyltransferase) was approximately 3 mm/24 h. Colchicine and vinblastine completely blocked the axonal transport of both the rapidly and slowly transported enzymes. Studies of the subcellular distribution of each enzyme failed to confirm the suggestion that particulate enzymes are transported rapidly and soluble enzymes slowly. Our results suggest that the transport and inactivation of dopamine-β-hydroxylase, DOPA decarboxylase, and tyrosine hydroxylase are under different controls than monoamine oxidase and catechol-O-methyltransferase.     

AXONAL TRANSPORT OF PHENYLETHANOLAMINE-N-METHYLTRANSFERASE IN TOAD SCIATIC NERVE

—The presence of phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.-) and dopamine-β-hydroxylase (EC 1.14.2.1) activities was demonstrated in the sciatic nerve of the toad, Bufo marinus. The rates of accumulation of phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT) and dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH) proximal to a ligation of the sciatic nerve were studied. DBH accumulated proximal to the ligation at a more than 10-fold faster rate than PNMT. By measuring the rate of loss of enzyme activity distal to a ligation, an estimate of per cent clearance of each enzyme was made. Based on the per cent of enzyme activity free to move, the absolute transport rates for each enzyme were estimated to be: PNMT, 3.6 mm/24 h; DBH, 102 mm/24 h. PNMT activity (89 per cent) was recovered in the soluble fraction of sciatic nerve homogenates with no change occurring in the subcellular distribution of the enzyme proximal to ligations. In contrast, 43 per cent of DBH activity was found in the soluble fraction of sciatic nerve homogenates; but a disproportionate increase in paniculate DBH activity was found proximal to sciatic nerve ligations. Reduction of toad body temperature to 4°C resulted in a complete but totally reversible block of the axonal transport of both PNMT and DBH.     

A Rapid Anterograde Axonal Transport of Carboxypeptidase H in Rat Sciatic Nerves

Abstract: Using the highly sensitive HPLC-fluorophotometry technique, anterograde and retrograde axonal transport of carboxypeptidase H (CPH), a putative pro-hormone processing enzyme that removes a basic amino acid from the C-terminus of a precursor peptide, was measured 12–72 h after double ligations of rat sciatic nerves. CPH-like activity in rat sciatic nerves was 60-fold lower than that in the pituitary gland. CPH-like enzyme activity was rapidly accumulated in the proximal segment and peaked 48 h after ligation. The axonal flow was 100 mm/day, indicating that CPH in rat sciatic nerves is rapidly transported to the nerve terminals as an active form. The properties of the enzyme were similar to those of CPH in the brain: The pH optimum is at 5.5, and the molecular mass is ∼50 kDa. These results suggest that active CPH in the PNS is transported by a rapid anterograde axonal flow and may play a role in converting proneuropeptides to active neuropeptides under the axonal transport.     

AXONAL TRANSPORT OF SELECTED PARTICLE-SPECIFIC ENZYMES IN RAT SCIATIC NERVE IN VIVO AND ITS RESPONSE TO INJURY

Abstract— Orthograde and retrograde axoplasmic transport of selected axonal organelles were examined by monitoring accumulation of enzyme activities residing in various types of particles proximal and distal to a ligature placed on rat sciatic nerve as a function of time after tying. Proximal to the tie, activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7; probably in small endoplasmic reticulum-like particles) accumulated for 2 days; then, during the next 5 days, the accumulation disappeared. Activities of glutamic dehydrogenase (GDH, EC 1.4.1.3) and monoamine oxidase (MAO, EC 1.4.3.4) (both located in mitochondria) accumulated steadily for 7 days. Accumulation of monoamine oxidase activity was more rapid than that of glutamic dehydrogenase during the first day or two. Acid phosphatase (acid P'tase, EC 3.1.3.2; in lysosomes) activity also accumulated throughout the week of observation. Accumulation of all four enzyme activities proximal to the ligature was blocked by nerve crush or subepineurial vinblastine injection 1 cm or more proximal to the site of the tie. Distal to the ligature, AChE activity accumulated early (14 h), and then gradually disappeared in the course of the week. MAO activity also accumulated, with a maximum at 2 days, and no further change thereafter. GDH activity, on the other hand, showed little accumulation during the first 2 days, but did appear in modest amounts at the end of the week. Distal accumulation of acid P'tase kept pace with proximal accumulation for the first day, and continued more slowly for another day, after which there was no further change. This system has been used to study the effects of axonal crush injury upon anterograde and retrograde axoplasmic transport. A tie applied at various times after injury, proximal to the site of injury, was used to show that orthograde transport of AChE was maintained for 1 day after tying, but at 2 days had fallen 50% or more, and within a week was down to 20–25% of control. At 3 days after injury retrograde transport of AChE activity was not different from the control. Orthograde transport of acid P'tase activity was depressed 35% by injury. Retrograde transport of acid P'tase was inhibited more than 50% both at 3 and at 7 days after injury. Transport of the mitochondrial enzymes was not measurably affected.     

Absence of 'superfast' axonal transport in rat sciatic nerve.

Axonal transport of labelled protein was studied in rat sciatic nerve by analyzing nerve segments at intervals after injection of L-[3H]leucine into the lumbar spinal cord. Some nerves were sectioned before injection so that material in transit accumulated proximal to the section. The segments distal to the section served as controls for incorporation into the nerve of blood-borne label. An analysis of TCA-soluble and TCA-insoluble activity in cut and intact nerve segments was also made. No evidence was found for the existence of a 'superfast' component of axonal transport (velocity 2000 mm/day). Results showed that the most rapidly transported protein derived from the neuron soma had a conventional 'fast' velocity of 350-420 mm/day. There was no transport of TCA-soluble material. It is suggested that 'superfast' transport, detected in mice by other investigators, is an artefact resulting from failure to control for incorporation of circulating label into the sciatic nerve.     

Bidirectional axonal transport of 16S acetylcholinesterase in rat sciatic nerve

Axonal transport of the 16S Molecular form of acetylcholinesterase (16S-AChE) in doubly ligated rat sciatic nerves was studied by means of velocity sedimentation analysis on sucrose gradients. This form of AChE was selectively confined to motor, and not to sensory, fibers in the sciatic nerve, where it represented 3--4% of total AChE. Its activity increased linearly with time (4--20 hr) in nerve segments (7 mm) proximal to the central ligature (4.5 mU/24hr) and distal to the peripheral ligature (2.0 mU/24 hr). From the linear rates of accumulation of 16S-AChE, we conclude that the enzyme is conveyed by anterograde and retrograde axonal transport at velocities close to those previously defined for the movement of total AChE (410 mm/day, anterograde; 220 mm/day, retrograde). The transport of AChE molecular forms, other than the 16S form, could not be resolved presumably due to their presence in blood as well as at extraaxonal sites. The present findings are consistent with the view that in rat sciatic nerve most, if not all, of the small portion of total AChE (approximately 3%) which is transported may be accounted for by 16S-AChE.     

TRANSPORT, TURNOVER AND DISTRIBUTION OF CHOLINE ACETYLTRANSFERASE AND ACETYLCHOLIN-ESTERASE IN THE VAGUS AND HYPOGLOSSAL NERVES OF THE RABBIT

Abstract— The transport, distribution and turnover of choline O -acetyltransferase (ChAc, EC 2.3.1.6) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) in the vagus and hypoglossal nerves were studied in adult rabbits. The enzymes accumulated proximally and distally to single and double ligatures on both nerves and thus indicated both a proximo-distal and retrograde flow of the enzymes. Double ligature experiments indicated that only 5–20 per cent of the enzymes were mobile in the axon. The rate of accumulation of both enzymes above a single ligature corresponded to the slow rate of axonal flow provided that all the enzymes were mobile, but to an intermediate or fast flow if only a small part of the enzymes was transported. The distribution of ChAc along the hypoglossal neurons was studied and only 2 per cent of ChAc was confined to cell bodies, 42 per cent was localized to the main hypoglossal nerve trunks and 56 per cent to the preterminal axons and axon terminals in the tongue. The ratio of AChE to ChAc was about 3 in the hypoglossal nerve and 32 in the vagus nerve.
Transection of the hypoglossal nerve was followed by a decrease in the activity of ChAc in the hypoglossal nucleus and nerve and in the axons and their terminals in the tongue. The activity of AChE decreased in the hypoglossal nucleus and nerve but not in the tongue. The half-life of ChAc in preterminal axons and terminals of the hypoglossal nerve was estimated to be 16-21 days from the results obtained on transport, axotomy and distribution of the enzyme. Intracisternal injection of colchicine inhibited the cellulifugal transport of both enzymes and led to an increase in enzyme activity in the hypoglossal nucleus.     

Anterograde Components of Axonal Transport in Motor and Sensory Nerves in Experimental 2,5-Hexanedione Neuropathy

Anterograde slow and fast axonal transport was examined in rats intoxicated with 2,5-hexanedione (1 g/kg/week) for 8 weeks. Distribution of radioactivity was measured in 3-mm segments of the sciatic nerve after labelling of proteins with [35S]methionine or [3H]leucine and glycoproteins with [3H]fucose. The axonal transport of the anterograde slow components was examined after 25 (SCa) and 10 days (SCb), in motor and sensory nerves. SCa showed an increased transport velocity in motor (1.25 +/- 0.08 mm/day versus 1.01 +/- 0.05 mm/day) and in sensory nerves (1.21 +/- 0.13 mm/day versus 1.06 +/- 0.07 mm/day). The relative amount of labelled protein in the SCa wave in both fiber systems was also increased. SCb showed unchanged transport velocity in motor as well as in sensory nerves, whereas the amount of label was decreased in the motor system. Anterograde fast transport in motor nerves was examined after intervals of 3 and 5 h, whereas intervals of 2 and 4 h were used for sensory nerves. Velocities and amounts of labelled proteins of the anterograde fast component remained normal. We suggest that the increase in protein transport in SCa reflects axonal regeneration.     

STUDIES ON AXOPLASMIC TRANSPORT OF INDIVIDUAL PROTEINS: 1–ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE (AChE) IN ACRYLAMIDE NEUROPATHY

Abstract— The axoplasmic transport rate and distribution of acetylcholinesterase (AChe, EC 3.1.1.7) was studied in the sciatic nerves of normal rats and those with a neuropathy due to acrylamide, by measuring the accumulation of the enzyme proximal to single and double ligatures. The single ligature experiments showed that the apparent transport rate of AChE was decreased in acrylamide neuropathy. The double ligature experiments indicated that only 8.1% of AChE was mobile in normal rat sciatic nerve. The mobility of the enzyme in acrylamide-treated rat sciatic nerves was altered to 11.8%. The absolute transport rate of AChE in normal rat sciatic nerve was 567 mm/24 h, and in acrylamide neuropathy it was decreased to 287 mm/24 h.
The amount of AChE activity transported in normal rat sciatic nerve was 2.64 μmol/24 h. The rats with acrylamide neuropathy showed a decrease in the amount of AChE activity moving in the orthograde direction (2.03 μmol/24 h).
The colchicine-binding properties of tubulin protein from sciatic nerves of normal and acrylamide-treated rats were studied. In rats with acrylamide neuropathy, a marked decrease of 75% in tubulin-colchicine binding was observed.     

SYNTHESIS, MIGRATION AND TURNOVER OF PROTEIN IN RETINAL GANGLION CELLS

Abstract— The synthesis, migration and turnover of proteins in retinal ganglion cells of the adult rabbit was studied after intraocular injections of [³H]leucine. It was shown that the isotope was rapidly incorporated into proteins of the retina and some of the proteins were subsequently transported out into the axons of the retinal ganglion cells down to the terminals. This intra-axonal transport of protein occurred at four different velocities; 150, 40, 6-12 and 2 mm/day respectively. The two most rapidly migrating phases of axonal transport were predominantly associated with light particulate fractions and had a relatively rapid turnover in the nerve terminals in the lateral geniculate body. The third phase of axonal transport which had a rate of 6-12 mm/day was possibly associated with the migration of mitochondria. The most slowly migrating proteins in the axon which moved at an average rate of 2 mm/day carried predominantly soluble proteins down to the nerve terminals. A minor part of this phase was metabolized locally in the axon with a half-life of about 14 days. When this slowly migrating phase had reached the nerve terminals in the lateral geniculate body, it was degraded with a half-life of 9-6 days. The different phases of axonal transport were of different magnitudes. As measured from the maximal amount of radioactivity present in the nerve terminals the relative amounts of radioactivity of the four phases were: 1,1 -8,1 -5 and 8-5.     

A histofluorescence study of events accompanying accumulation and migration of norepinephrine within locally cooled nerves.

Glyoxylic acid was used to induce fluorescence in sections of rabbit sciatic nerve. In fresh nerves treated with this agent there were scattered finely beaded axons with a weak blue-green fluorescence. During local cooling, blue-green fluorescence accumulated steadily at the proximal boundary of the cooled region but never at its distal boundary. This accumulation gave rise to dilated axons that often swelled into brilliantly fluorescent balloon-like structures up to 10 microgram in diameter. Axonal fluorescence was probably specific for norepinephrine, being enhanced by inhibition of the metabolism and diminished by inhibition of the synthesis or storage of this neurotransmitter. After local cooling of nerves for 1.5 hr, specific fluorescence was confined within 0.8 mm of the cooled region. Rewarming led to rapid removal of fluorescence from the cooled region and to disappearance of most of the balloon-like swellings. Simultaneously, rewarming caused brightly fluorescent fibers that were neither dilated nor swollen to appear in distal regions of nerve. As this wave of fluorescence migrated distally with increasing duration of rewarming, it was spread over increasingly broad regions of nerve, which suggests that axonal transport of norepinephrine may invole some kind of dispersive process.     

PROXIMO-DISTAL TRANSPORT OF [14C]NOR-ADRENALINE AND PROTEIN IN SYMPATHETIC NERVES

Abstract— —Both [¹⁴C]noradrenaline and [¹⁴C]leucine were injected into the coeliac ganglia of cats in an attempt to label the noradrenaline and protein of the granular vesicles, so that their movement in the splenic nerves could be followed.
When a constriction was placed on the nerves, labelled noradrenaline and protein accumulated just proximal to it, but there was no such accumulation below it, nor above a second, more distal constriction placed on the same nerve. This indicated that a neural transport mechanism, rather than uptake from the circulation, was responsible for the accumulation.
Peaks of labelled noradrenaline and protein were observed to move down the axon at about 5 mm/hr. In addition a slow moving component of axonal protein, advancing at about 1 mm/day, was detected.
The results demonstrate a rapid proximo-distal movement of noradrenaline and protein which could represent the transport of granular synaptic vesicles from their site of manufacture in the cell body to their site of storage in the nerve terminals within the spleen.