THE BINDING OF ACETYLCHOLINE TO SYNAPTIC VESICLES FROM TORPEDO CALIFORNICA ELECTROPLAX

Abstract— The in vitro uptake of exogenous acetylcholine by isolated presynaptic vesicles has been demonstrated in a new system. A preparation of vesicles from Torpedo californica electroplax was developed in which acetylcholinesterase and acetylcholine receptor activity were blocked. The vesicles bound acetylcholine with K_d 1.58 μM, the maximum amount bound being 26 pmol per g of original tissue, or 52 molecules per vesicle. Nicotinic drugs blocked binding, but muscarinic and noncholinergic drugs did not. The relative potency of nicotinic drugs differed greatly from their potency on Torpedo receptor. Sephadex chromatography showed that 26% of the binding was irreversible. The relationship of the binding to acetylcholine uptake and storage was discussed.     

PURIFICATION AND PROPERTIES OF CHOLINE ACETYLTRANSFERASE FROM TORPEDO CALIFORNICA

Abstract— Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the enzyme responsible for the biosynthesis of acetylcholine in nervous tissue, has been purified to apparent homogeneity from the electric organ of the electric fish Torpedo californica using ion-exchange, gel filtration, and hydroxyapatite chromatography. The final preparation had been purified 8570-fold to a specific activity of 30μmol ACh formed/min/mg protein. The purified protein has a pH optimum of 6.8 (phosphate buffer), is activated by low concentrations (ca. 10 m m ) of ammonium or alkylammonium ions, and is strongly inhibited by a sulfhydryl blocking reagent (DTNB). ChAT has a mol. wt. of 63000 when measured by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or gel filtration.
A new method for the rapid assay of ChAT activity is described in which unreacted substrate ([³H]acetyl-CoA) is removed from reaction mixtures by adsorption to charcoal: some advantages of this technique are discussed.     

ASPECTS OF ACETYLCHOLINE METABOLISM IN THE ELECTRIC ORGAN OF TORPEDO MARMORATA

Abstract— —The synthesis of acetylcholine and its compartmentation were studied in the electric organ of Torpedo marmorata. When electric organ was homogenized in iso-osmotic NaCl-sucrose some 55 per cent of its acetylcholine content was lost unless very potent cholinesterase inhibitors were present. Slices of electric organ incubated in a suitable medium were found to synthesize radioactive-labelled acetylcholine from [ N-Me-³ H] choline. The specific activity of the labelled acetylcholine was higher in the trichloracetic acid extract of the organ slices than in an NaCl-sucrose homogenate. Acetylcholine-containing vesicles isolated from the NaCl-sucrose homogenate contained labelled acetylcholine with about the same specific activity as the parent homogenate. There was thus a fraction of acetylcholine in the incubated tissue of higher specific radioactivity that was lost when the tissue was homogenized. The acetylcholine-containing vesicles lose their acetylcholine when submitted to gel filtration under hypo-osmotic conditions. On standing at 5°C there were only small losses of acetylcholine from the vesicles but at 20°C the losses were substantial. Vesicles containing labelled acetylcholine were studied. On gel filtration under iso-osmotic conditions there was a considerable loss of labelled acetylcholine without a concomitant loss of bio-assayable acetylcholine. The pools of radioactive and bio-assayable acetylcholine are therefore not homogeneous in the vesicles as isolated.     

丁氏双鳍电鳐(Narcine timlei)电器官烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体(AChR)某些生化性质的研究

本文报道了丁氏双鳍电鳐（Narcine timlei）电器官烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体蛋白（AChR）的某些生化性质。纯化的AChR经聚丙烯酰胺梯度（4％—30％）凝胶电泳,呈现一个主要蛋白带,经测定,表观分子量为440,000,与~（125）I-α-Bgt-AChR复合物的分子量相一致。等电聚焦电泳测得纯化AChR和~（125）I-α-BgtAChR的等电点（pI）分别为4.9和5.2;经SDS—聚丙烯酰胺梯度（4％—30％）凝胶电泳,纯化的AChR解离成三个主要亚基蛋白带,它们的表观分子量分别为38,000,42,000和66,000,其中前两个亚基的含量很高,约占总数75％。氨基酸组成分析表明,丁氏双鳍电鳐电器官AChR由18种氨基酸组成,（色氨酸未测定）,其中酸性氨基酸含量很高,占总数的20％以上,说明纯化的AChR是一个复杂结构的酸性蛋白大分子。     

纯化眼镜蛇毒蛋白对乙酰胆碱受体通道的阻断作用

在培养的抓蟾胚胎神经和肌肉细胞上用膜片箝技术研究了从中国华南产眼镜蛇毒分离出的神经毒组分对乙酰胆碱受体（ＡＣｈ－Ｒ）通道的影响,发现它在微终板电位和单通道水平上都有明显的阻断作用。完全阻断神经肌肉接点传递的剂量约为２．０μｇ／ｍｌ,对乙酰胆碱受体通道的半阻断量约为０．２３μｇ／ｍｌ。这表明它与α－银环蛇毒有相似功效。     

CHARACTERIZATION OF HIGH AFFINITY CHOLINE UPTAKE BY TORPEDO CALIFORNICA T-SACS

Abstract— The high affinity choline uptake system present in T-sacs prepared from Torpedo californica electric organ was shown to be insensitive to external Ca²⁺ and to be absolutely dependent on external NaCl, with optimal uptake at approx 200 mM-NaCl. Both Na⁺ and Cl⁻ separately stimulate uptake. Uptake also exhibited an optimum at approx 10mM-external K⁺. Uptake was completely inhibited at 4°C. Approximately 50% of newly accumulated [³H]choline was released by depolarization of T-sacs regardless of the time or method of depolarization.     

VESICULAR STORAGE AND RELEASE OF ACETYLCHOLINE IN TORPEDO ELECTROPLAQUE SYNAPSES

Abstract— The disposition of newly synthesized ACh subsequent to depletion of vesicular endogenous ACh by stimulation was studied in the electromotor nerve terminals of Torpedo marmorata using [³H]acetate as a precursor of ACh. Little vesicular [³H]ACh could be isolated from tissue immediately after stimulation at 1 Hz. After 3 h post-stimulation recovery the newly synthesized [³H]ACh is found predominantly in a subpopulation of vesicles distinct from the vesicles containing most of the endogenous poorly labelled ACh. Restimulation of the tissue causes release of highly labelled ACh with a specific radioactivity (SRA) comparable to that of the newly synthesized [³H]ACh in the highly labelled subpopulation of vesicles and significantly greater than the SRA of ACh in the main vesicular pool or the total tissue.     

金环蛇神经毒素与乙酰胆碱受体结合的特点

进一步纯化了前一工作中从广西省产金环蛇(Bungarus fasciatus)蛇毒分离的突触后毒素Ⅰ和Ⅱ。以超饱和剂量的毒素Ⅰ或Ⅱ先与从电鳐(Narcine maculata)电器官得到的乙酰胆碱受体(AChR)保温10min 或 lh,再加入~(125)Ⅰ-标记α-银环蛇毒素或~(125)Ⅰ-标记眼镜蛇毒素,继续保温10min 或 lh,由测定与 AChR 结合的放射性强度得知,如以未经毒素Ⅰ或Ⅱ预饱和的放射性强度为100%,则经与其一预饱和者的约为30%,即毒素Ⅰ或Ⅱ只竞争地阻遏了α-银环蛇毒素或眼镜蛇毒素与 AChR 结合能力的2/3左右。文中讨论了存在两种类型 AChR 的可能性。     

EFFECT OF CHOLINE ON THE RATES OF SYNTHESIS and OF RELEASE OF ACETYLCHOLINE IN THE ELECTRIC ORGAN OF TORPEDO

Abstract— Slices of electric organ of Torpedo marmorata were chopped and incubated in a saline-urea-sucrose medium. This preparation of minced tissue exhibited a relative enrichment in ACh and nerve endings, which was attributed to a loss of electroplaque cytoplasm. Electron microscopic controls showed nerve endings of normal morphology, some of them forming 'chaplets' separated from electro-plaques. Miniature endplate potentials were recorded on sealed fragments also present in this preparation. ACh levels remained unchanged during incubation periods as long as 19 h. The time course of the incorporation of [1-¹⁴C]acetate of [2-¹⁴C]pyruvate into ACh pools was studied. These incorporations were similarly affected by the choline added to the medium. In the presence of increasing choline concentrations (up to 10^-4 m ), the incorporation of [¹⁴C]acetate or [¹⁴C]pyruvate into ACh increased. They both diminished when choline was added above 10^-4M. The ACh content of the tissue was not affected by added choline. From the constancy of ACh levels in the presence of various choline concentrations and from the steady state of our preparation, we can conclude that the release of transmitter varied in parallel to the incorporation rate of the precursor of the acetyl moiety of ACh. This fact was also found using the efflux of [¹⁴C]acetate as an evaluation of ACh release. The values of release calculated by this method were in good agreement with those determined from the incorporations of acetate and pyruvate into ACh. It is suggested that the primary action of choline is on its high affinity carrier system. This triggers a secondary action on the ACh release mechanisms.     

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ACETYLCHOLINE RELEASE FROM BRAIN SLICES AND THE ACETYLCHOLINE CONTENT OF SUBCELLULAR FRACTIONS PREPARED FROM BRAIN

Abstract— Acetylcholine (ACh) release from sliced cerebral cortex of rats was measured when the tissue was incubated in a high K⁺ (46 m m ) medium containing eserine. In the absence of hemicholinium (HC-3), ACh release was well maintained, but in the presence of HC-3, ACh release declined within 15–20 min. Subcellular fractions representing nerve-ending free (cytoplasmic) ACh and nerve-ending bound ACh were prepared from slices that had been stimulated to release ACh in the presence of HC-3. Both nerve-ending stores of ACh were depleted when their content was compared to tissue that had not been stimulated and there was no demonstrable difference in the rate of depletion of either of the two fractions. Stimulating slices with K⁺ in the absence of HC-3 also depleted cytoplasmic and vesicle-bound ACh. It is concluded that, under these experimental conditions, both nerve ending stores of ACh are available for release and that, in the absence of HC-3, ACh synthesis can maintain ACh release, but cannot maintain tissue ACh content.     

THE ORIGIN OF THE ACETYLCHOLINE RELEASED FROM THE SURFACE OF THE CORTEX

—The specific radioactivity of acetylcholine liberated from the surface of the rabbit occipital cortex has been compared with that of the underlying cortical synaptosomal and vesicular acetylcholine at varying times after the administration of [N-Me-³H]choline. Choline was administered by diffusion from solutions placed in cups formed by Perspex cylinders applied to the surface of the cortex. Acetylcholine was collected by diffusion into these cups. The specific radioactivity of the acetylcholine declined progressively. The effect of stimulation of afferent cholinergic pathways was to cause a fall in the specific radioactivity of the released acetylcholine. However this was always higher than that of the synaptosomal or vesicular acetylcholine as represented by fractions P₂ and D of the authors’fractionation scheme. It is concluded that acetylcholine released from the cortex must come from a store or stores more recently synthesized than the endogenous acetylcholine of these subcellular fractions.     

EFFECT OF PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE ON ACETYLCHOLINE OUTPUT FROM THE CEREBRAL CORTEX OF THE RAT

The effect of sonicated suspensions of phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine injected intravenously on acetylcholine release from the cerebral cortex was investigated in urethane anaesthetized rats. The electroeorticogram was also recorded. Phosphatidylserine caused a dose dependent, calcium dependent increase in acetylcholine output with no electrocorticografic changes. The increase, 75% peak effect after 150 mg/kg, was abolished by septal lesions and pretreatment with pimozide. Phosphatidylserine had no effect on acetylcholine release from brain slices in vitro. Phosphatidylethanolamine was approximately half as active as phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine had no effect on acetylcholine output in vivo. It is concluded that phosphatidylserine exerts an indirect stimulating action on a septio-cortical cholinergic pathway.     

西方蜜蜂毒蕈碱型乙酰胆碱受体基因的生物信息学分析

利用生物信息学方法分析了西方蜜蜂 Apis mellifera毒蕈碱型乙酰胆碱受体的核酸和氨基酸序列,并对其组成成分、疏水/亲水区、跨膜拓扑结构域、分子系统进化关系进行了预测和推断.结果显示,该受体定位在第8条染色体上,由618个氨基酸组成,分子量69 906.5D,等电点(pI)8.56;是G蛋白偶联型受体,含N-糖基化位点、蛋白激酶C磷酸化位点、cAMP/cGMP依赖蛋白激酶磷酸化位点.     

肾上腺素受体和乙酰胆碱受体在血吸虫性肝纤维化肝脏组织中的表达研究

目的研究α1A-肾上腺素受体(α1A-AR)和M1型乙酰胆碱受体(mAChRM1)在日本血吸虫性肝纤维化小鼠肝脏组织中的表达情况,初步探讨神经递质受体在肝纤维化发生机制中的作用。方法清洁级昆明小鼠30只随机分为正常组(N组,10只)、模型组(M组,20只),模型组小鼠用腹部敷贴尾蚴法感染日本血吸虫制备肝纤维化模型。应用免疫组织化学、逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和免疫印迹(Western blot)等方法检测肝脏组织中α1A-AR和mAChRM1表达变化。结果模型组肝脏组织中α1A-AR和mAChRM1表达较正常组明显增加,其差异具有显著性统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论神经递质受体表达上调在血吸虫性肝纤维化发生发展中起一定作用。     

和络舒肝胶囊对肝纤维化肝组织中乙酰胆碱受体的影响

目的 探讨和络舒肝胶囊对CCl4诱导的肝纤维化模型的肝脏中乙酰胆碱受体的影响及其抗肝纤维化的可能机制。方法 应用四氯化碳（CCl4）诱导大鼠慢性肝纤维化模型。38只Wistar大鼠随机分为正常对照组（N组）,肝纤维化模型组（M组）和和络舒肝组（H组）。应用逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）和免疫印迹（Western Blot）方法检测肝脏组织中乙酰胆碱受体在mRNA及蛋白质水平的表达情况。结果 正常组肝组织内乙酰胆碱受体含量明显低于模型组（P〈0.01）,且和络舒肝组乙酰胆碱受体含量低于模型组（P〈0.05）。结论 和络舒肝胶囊的作用可能与降低肝纤维化肝组织中乙酰胆碱受体的含量有关。     

FURTHER EXPERIMENTS ON THE UPTAKE OF ACETYLCHOLINE AND ATROPINE AND THE RELEASE OF ACETYLCHOLINE FROM MOUSE BRAIN CORTEX SLICES AFTER TREATMENT WITH PHOSPHOLIPASES

—Uptake of acetylcholine (ACh) in mouse brain cortex slices, previously shown with ACh synthesized from tritiated choline is confirmed with acetyl[1-¹⁴C]choline. Radioactivity from tritiated sodium acetate also accumulates in slices, but forms hardly any ACh. Uptake of ACh increases in a Ca²⁺-free medium, decreases again upon addition of a 3 × 10⁵ molar concentration of an anticholinergic benzilate compound and is completely blocked by the same compound at 3 × 10³ m. Slices preloaded with labelled ACh release, after extensive washing, some of their radioactivity into an outer medium free from ACh. Phospholipase, A or C, increases the release of radioactivity from the slices. An equilibrium is reached both with controls and phospholipase-treated slices. Remaining radioactivity seems to be due to bound ACh. Calcium and magnesium ions have no effect on the uptake of tritiated atropine, although low concentrations of Ca²⁺ decrease the effects of phospholipase C on atropine uptake. The inhibitory effect of K⁺ on atropine uptake disappears completely after treatment with small amounts of phospholipase A, but even high concentrations of phospholipase C have no effect.     

THE FINE STRUCTURE OF THE ELECTRIC ORGAN OF TORPEDO MARMORATA

The fine structure of the electric organ of the fish Torpedo marmorata has been examined after osmium tetroxide or potassium permanganate fixation, acetone dehydration, and Araldite embedment. This organ consists of stacks of electroplaques which possess a dorsal noninnervated and a ventral richly innervated surface. Both surfaces are covered with a thin basement membrane. A tubular membranous network whose lumen is continuous with the extracellular space occupies the dorsal third of the electroplaque. Nerve endings, separated from the ventral surface of the electroplaque by a thin basement membrane, contain synaptic vesicles (diameter 300 to 1200 A), mitochondria, and electron-opaque granules (diameter 300 A). Projections from the nerve endings occupy the lumina of the finger-like invaginations of the ventral surface. The cytoplasm of the electroplaques contains the usual organelles. A "cellular cuff" surrounds most of the nerve fibers in the intercellular space, and is separated from the nerve fibre and its Schwann cell by a space containing connective tissue fibrils. The connective tissue fibrils and fibroblasts in the intercellular space are primarily associated with the dorsal surface of the electroplaque.     

MUSCARINIC ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTOR SUBTYPE mRNAs IN THE HUMAN AND RAT VESTIBULAR PERIPHERY

The expression of the five muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) subtypes (m1–m5) in the vestibular end-organs and in the primary afferent vestibular ganglia of the human and rat was studied using RT-PCR from the two tissue populations from both species. In the human, although all five mAChR subtypes were expressed in brain, only the m1, m2, and m5 mAChR subtypes were amplified from both the vestibular ganglia and the vestibular end-organs, while in the rat, all five mAChR subtypes were expressed. These data suggest that the efferent cholinergic axo-dendritic and axo-somatic synapses have a muscarinic component and that there are pharmacologic implications for patients with vestibular dysfunction.     

自由基对细胞膜和Ach受体效应的损伤及枸杞多糖的防护作用

本研究将爪蟾卵母细胞暴露于黄嘌呤氧化酶－次黄嘌呤（ＸＯ－ＨＰＸ）反应系统,观察自由基对细胞膜及其乙酰胆碱（Ａｃｈ）受体的损伤,结果表明,在自由基的作用下膜被动电学参数发生显著变化,其效果与ＸＯ－ＨＰＸ的浓度和作用时间成正比,ＸＯ－ＨＰＸ作用２ｈ不影响膜功能,大于４ｈ各项膜功能指标明显下降,Ａｃｈ极化反应减弱,上升时间延长,去极化幅度下降,下降１／２时间缩短;超氧化物歧化酶（ＳＯＤ）可消除自由基对上述膜参数的影响。枸杞多糖可以使损伤膜的被动电学参数改善,但对Ａｃｈ去极化反应无恢复作用。结果提示,ＸＯ－ＨＰＸ反应系统是通过产生超氧阴离子自由基造成细胞膜和Ａｃｈ受体的损伤,枸杞多糖可对抗自由基对质膜的作用,但对Ｍ样受体无效。