Veratridine-evoked release of intracellular and external acetylcholinesterase from cultured adrenal chromaffin cells

Abstract

Adrenal chromaffin cells release acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in parallel with catecholamines upon stimulation with nicotine, high K⁺, and veratridine. The origin of this released AChE was investigated. Cultured chromaflin cells were treated with permeant and non-permeant AChE inhibitors to selectively inactivate intracellular and external AChE, and then the modified cells were stimulated with　veratridine. Our results suggest that AChE is released partly from intracellular compartment(s) and partly from the external surface of the plasma membrane.