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Ontogeny of ATP and ADP hydrolysis by cerebral cortex synaptosomes from rats

J Müller1, J B Rocha, A M Battastini

  • 1Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research = Revista Brasileira De Pesquisas Medicas E Biologicas
|January 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

This study reveals that ATP and ADP hydrolysis by rat brain synaptosomes significantly increases during early development, peaking by the second postnatal week. This suggests a single enzyme, ATP diphosphohydrolase, plays a key role in neurotransmission and brain growth.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Synaptosomes are crucial for neurotransmitter metabolism and energy utilization in the brain.
  • Understanding the ontogeny of nucleotide hydrolysis is vital for comprehending brain development and function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the developmental trajectory of ATP and ADP hydrolysis in rat cerebral cortex synaptosomes.
  • To determine if hydrolytic activity correlates with periods of intense brain growth and neurotransmitter metabolism.

Main Methods:

  • Assessing ATP and ADP hydrolysis rates in synaptosomes isolated from rats at various postnatal ages (0, 7, 14, 21, and 60-90 days).
  • Analyzing the developmental patterns of nucleotide-hydrolyzing enzyme activity.

Main Results:

  • Both ATP and ADP hydrolyzing activities showed a parallel, approximately 4-fold increase from birth to the second postnatal week.
  • A minor, non-significant increase was observed thereafter, with activity stabilizing in adulthood.
  • The peak in hydrolytic activity coincided with the period of rapid brain growth.

Conclusions:

  • A single enzyme, likely an ATP diphosphohydrolase, is responsible for both ATP and ADP hydrolysis in synaptosomes.
  • The developmental pattern suggests a significant role for this enzyme in neurotransmission and during rapid brain development.

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