A histochemical study of alkaline and acid nuclease activity in the human brain compared to the incidence of malignant tumours

• Published in: Journal of the neurological sciences Vol. 12; no. 4; pp. 369 - 382
• Main Authors: Taper, H.S., Brucher, J.M., Doyen, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.04.1971
• Subjects: Animals; Belgium; Brain - enzymology; Brain Neoplasms - enzymology; Brain Neoplasms - epidemiology; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic - enzymology; Cerebellum - enzymology; Choroid Plexus - enzymology; Deoxyribonucleases - analysis; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Meninges - enzymology; Neuroglia - enzymology; Neurons - enzymology; Purkinje Cells - enzymology; Rats; Ribonucleases - analysis; Spinal Cord Neoplasms - enzymology; Spinal Cord Neoplasms - epidemiology; Belgium
• ISSN: 0022-510X; 1878-5883
• DOI: 10.1016/0022-510X(71)90108-0

Alkaline and acid DNase and RNase activities were investigated histochemically in human brain. Intense activity of alkaline nucleases was found mainly in the choroid plexus and ependymal epithelium as well as in the leptomeninges. Acid nuclease activity was strongest in all nerve cells. The glial cells demonstrated very weak activity of both acid and alkaline nucleases. Comparison of these results with the incidence of human brain malignant tumours has indicated that low nuclease activity in normal brain cells coincides with the high incidence of malignant tumours deriving from these cells and vice versa. These observations and the results of similar investigations in the rat CNS and in the digestive tube of the rat and man suggest that low nuclease activity in normal cells could be considered to be a factor which may predispose to malignant trans-formation.