Biomaterial Database

Localization of choline acetyltransferase within identified motoneurons of the nematode Ascaris. 1985

C D Johnson, and A O Stretton

Choline acetyltransferase (CAT) activity has been measured in the nematode Ascaris lumbricoides. Strips of hypodermal tissue which contained branches of single identified motoneurons (Stretton, A.O.W., R.M. Fishpool, E. Southgate, J.E. Donmoyer, J.P. Walrond, and I.S. Kass (1978) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 75: 3493-3497) as well as control strips containing no neural tissue were assayed. In strips of hypodermis which contained branches of excitatory motoneurons (classes DE1, DE2, and DE3), CAT activity was elevated 5 to 10 times compared to control levels. Branches of inhibitory motoneurons (classes D1 and V1) did not add to the level of CAT observed in the controls. These data provide additional support for the suggestion (e.g., del Castillo, J., W.C. deMello, and T. Morales (1963) Experientia 20: 141) that acetylcholine is an excitatory neurotransmitter at nematode neuromuscular junctions. The function of the low level of CAT observed throughout the hypodermis is unknown.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008433	Mathematics	The deductive study of shape, quantity, and dependence. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed)	Mathematic
D009046	Motor Neurons	Neurons which activate MUSCLE CELLS.	Neurons, Motor,Alpha Motorneurons,Motoneurons,Motor Neurons, Alpha,Neurons, Alpha Motor,Alpha Motor Neuron,Alpha Motor Neurons,Alpha Motorneuron,Motoneuron,Motor Neuron,Motor Neuron, Alpha,Motorneuron, Alpha,Motorneurons, Alpha,Neuron, Alpha Motor,Neuron, Motor
D002795	Choline O-Acetyltransferase	An enzyme that catalyzes the formation of acetylcholine from acetyl-CoA and choline. EC 2.3.1.6.	Choline Acetylase,Choline Acetyltransferase,Acetylase, Choline,Acetyltransferase, Choline,Choline O Acetyltransferase,O-Acetyltransferase, Choline
D005260	Female		Females
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001200	Ascaris	A genus of nematodes of the superfamily ASCARIDOIDEA whose species usually inhabit the intestine.	Ascari