Properties of glutaminase of crayfish CNS: implications for axon-glia signaling

Glutaminase of crayfish axons is believed to participate in recycling of axon-glia signaling agent(s). We measured the activity and properties of glutaminase in crude homogenates of crayfish CNS, using ion exchange chromatography to separate radiolabeled product from substrate. Crayfish glutaminase activity is cytoplasmic and/or weakly bound to membranes and dependent on time, tissue protein, and glutamine concentration. It resembles the kidney-type phosphate-activated glutaminase of mammals in being stimulated by inorganic phosphate and alkaline pH and inhibited by the product glutamate and by the glutamine analog 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine. During incubation of crayfish CNS fibers in Na(+)-free saline containing radiolabeled glutamine, there is an increased formation of radiolabeled glutamate in axoplasm that is temporally associated with an increase in axonal pH from about 7.1 to about 8.0. Both the formation of glutamate and the change in pH are reduced by 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine. Our results suggest that crayfish glutaminase activity is regulated by cellular changes in pH and glutamate concentration. Such changes could impact availability of the axon-glia signaling agents glutamate and N-acetylaspartylglutamate.