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A Topilko and B Caillou
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
neurotransmission. 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
acetylthiocholine 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.
This article has been cited by other articles:
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| Copyright © 1985 by American Society of Hematology Online ISSN: 1528-0020 | |||||||||
