Abstract
Phosphorylase is an enzyme which acts upon glycogen synthesis and degradation; it catalyzes the reversible reaction: Glycogen⇔Glucose-l-phosphat.
Histochemical studies were carried out to define the location and to examine the activity of phosphorylase in the cochlea of a guinea pig according to the method established by Takeuchi and Kuriaki.
Strong activity of phosphorylase was recognized in the outer hair cells, the Deiters' cells, and the spiral ganglion cells.
This enzyme activity was stronger at the upper turn and declined gradually as it went to the basal turn. It was week in the spiral ligament, the inner hair cells, and the Reissner's membrane. Unexpectedly it was not proved to exist in the stria vascularis, in which respiratory enzyme shows the strongest activity in the whole cochlea.
Judging from the distribution of phosphorylase in the cochlea, the authors presumed that the sensory cells, the spiral ganglion cells and the Deiters' cells might get energy for sound transmission by means of anaerobic glycolysis, when they lack oxygen as a result of their overfunction or the vascular disfunction of the cochlea.
