PMID: 3746429Sep 1, 1986Paper

Distribution of adenosine deaminase activity in rat brain and spinal cord

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience
J D Geiger, J I Nagy

Abstract

The activity of adenosine deaminase (ADA) was measured in 62 discrete regions of the CNS, and in some autonomic and sensory ganglia, peripheral nerves, and peripheral tissues of the rat using an automated high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The formation of inosine and hypoxanthine as a measure of ADA activity in homogenates of brain was optimal at pH 7.0, linear for up to 60 min at 37 degrees C using 500 microM adenosine as substrate, and linear with protein concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 0.8 mg. The Km and Vmax values for ADA activity in homogenates of whole brain were 47 microM and 107 nmol/mg protein/30 min, respectively. Among the CNS regions examined, the highest activity was found in posterior hypothalamic magnocellular nuclei and the lowest in hippocampus. In general, spinal cord contained relatively low levels of ADA activity, with that in dorsal cord approximately 40% higher than ventral cord. In the periphery, parasympathetic ganglia contained higher levels of ADA than sensory ganglia and brain. Most peripheral tissues--including adrenal gland, lung, liver, and anterior and posterior pituitary--exhibited activity comparable to levels in the posterior hypothalamus. ADA activity in thymus was about ...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.