Comparative studies on glutamate decarboxylase and choline acetyltransferase activities in the vertebrate vestibule

Comp Biochem Physiol B. 1990;95(2):375-9. doi: 10.1016/0305-0491(90)90090-g.

Abstract

1. Vestibular putative neurotransmitters GABA and acetylcholine synthesizing enzymes were quantified in four vertebrate species to find a correlation between all-vertebrate vestibular hair cell II (HCII) and synaptic contacts and appearance of hair cell I (HCI) and related synapses in terrestrial species. 2. Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) values were: 3.76; 15.38; 21.68; 27.78 and 9.44; 450; 720; 970 n(pico)mol/mg protein/hr (min) in, respectively, frogs, guinea pigs, rats and chicks. 3. GAD and ChAT omnipresence may indicate constant GABAergic HCII and its cholinergic efferent synapses, their raised content, appearance of GABA-containing HCI and related cholinergic boutons in higher vertebrates.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chickens
  • Choline O-Acetyltransferase / metabolism*
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase / metabolism*
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Ranidae
  • Rats
  • Vertebrates / metabolism*
  • Vestibule, Labyrinth / enzymology*

Substances

  • Choline O-Acetyltransferase
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase