Acetylcholinesterase in Human Thymus Cells
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was long thought to be an enzyme found specifically at the sites of nerve synapses and neuromuscular junctions. It has also been found to occur, however, in cells that are not involved with neuro-transmission. This study presents the ultrastructural localization of AChE a...
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Published in | Blood Vol. 66; no. 4; pp. 891 - 895 |
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Main Authors | , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Washington, DC
Elsevier Inc
01.10.1985
The Americain Society of Hematology |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was long thought to be an enzyme found specifically at the sites of nerve synapses and neuromuscular junctions. It has also been found to occur, however, in cells that are not involved with neuro-transmission. This study presents the ultrastructural localization of AChE activity in human thymus cells, using the indirect thiocholine method. Cytochemical demonstration of the enzyme was based on the coupling of acetylthiocho-line iodide hydrolysis to the precipitation of heavy metal salts. AChE activity was selectively revealed in the perinuclear cisternae, within the endoplasmic reticulum, and in the Golgi complex of thymic lymphocytes and epithelial cells. Evidence of the presence of reaction product in the latter cells was also found in vesicles that opened into the extracellular space. This is the first demonstration of AChE in human thymus cells. Its possible physiologic role in the thymus gland is discussed. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0006-4971 1528-0020 |
DOI: | 10.1182/blood.V66.4.891.891 |