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Cholinesterases in peripheral nervous system. III. Validity of localisation around the node of Ranvier

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A series of experiments was designed to exclude the possibility that the acetylcholinesterase reaction of the rat's node of Ranvier is artefactual. Copper ions were not bound by perinodal acid mucopolysaccharides (or axons) at pH 6.0, which is the same value as that used in the histochemical cholinesterase techniques. No positive evidence was found for diffusion of acetylcholinesterase out of teased nerve fibres. Likewise, no evidence was obtained that acetylcholinesterase, acetylthiocholine or thiocholine are bound at pH 6.0 by perinodal acid mucopolysaccharides (or axons). It is concluded that local non-specific binding of copper, enzyme, substrate or reaction-product cannot account for the acetylcholinesterase reaction in either the node of Ranvier or the axon.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Pathology and Medicine, Guy's Hospital Medical School, S.E.i., London

    C. W. M. Adams, O. B. Bayliss & R. T. Grant F.R.S.

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  1. C. W. M. Adams
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  2. O. B. Bayliss
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  3. R. T. Grant F.R.S.
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Adams, C.W.M., Bayliss, O.B. & Grant, R.T. Cholinesterases in peripheral nervous system. III. Validity of localisation around the node of Ranvier. Histochem J 1, 68–77 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01054295

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01054295

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