Summary
the cerebellar cortex of the pond turtle (Pseudemys scripta elegans) was analyzed with histochemical methods for the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the light and the electron microscope. The glomeruli in the granular layer were moderately AChE positive throughout the cerebellum. The molecular layer, however, showed a peculiar pattern of AChE distribution. While in the rostral portion of the cerebellum the molecular layer was uniformly unstained. AChE reaction product was present at the caudal tip even after relatively short incubation. This reaction product most caudally occupied the whole molecular layer and extended for about 1 mm in the rostral direction forming three or more bands parallel to the cerebellar pial surface alternating with AChE negative zones. Light and electron microscopy indicated that this enzyme is related to parallel fibers. An unusual stacking arrangement of parallel fibers that may explain the formation of the AChE positive bands is discussed.
To ascertain whether the AChE positivity is an indicator of cholinergic synapses, radiochemical assays for AChE and choline acetyltransferase (ChAC) were performed. The results of these assays confirmed that there are significantly higher levels of AChE in the caudal molecular layer than in the rostral molecular layer, but showed that the levels of ChAC are extremely low in both regions, thus suggesting that the AChE in the caudal molecular layer is involved with functions unrelated to cholinergic transmission. The granular layer contained slightly higher concentration of both AChE and ChAc than either the rostral or caudal molecular layer, but still not high enough to definitely establish the presence of a cholinergic system.
It is suggested that the AChE in the caudal portion of the turtle cerebellum marks a region of continuing growth in adult animals.
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Brand, S., Mugnaini, E. Pattern of distribution of acetylcholinesterase in the cerebellar cortex of the pond turtle, with emphasis on parallel fibers. Anat Embryol 158, 271–287 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00301817
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00301817