HISTOCHEMISTRY OF CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE PHOSPHODIESTERASE IN NERVOUS TISSUE. III. ENZYME CYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS

Abstract

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) was demonstrated by histochemical methods on the electron microscopic level. The method was based on a phosphate precipitation using cerium ions as the capture metal. The enzymatic reaction could be demonstrated in synapses, on endoplasmic reticulum, microtubules, the nuclear envelope, the cytoplasm and in some axons. Furthermore strong activity was found in glial cells, especially astrocytes. Only little reaction was detectable in the capillary endothelium. Because of the destroying action of the snake venom the morphology of the tissue was poor.