Neuronal membrane enzymes in rat lines selected for differential motor impairment by ethanol

Neuronal membrane enzyme activities were determined in naive and ethanol-treated (30 min after 2 g/kg) male and female rats of lines developed for more (ANT) and less (AT) ethanol-induced motor impairment. Ethanol did not affect acetylcholinesterase, (Na+K)-ATPase or 5'-nucleotidase activities, but adenylate cyclase activities were lowered in both cerebellum and cerebrum. Cerebral acetylcholinesterase activities were higher in ANT than AT rats. No consistent line difference was observed regarding (Na+K)-ATPase activities. Slightly higher cerebellar 5'-nucleotidase activities were found in the ANT line. Cerebellar adenylate cyclase levels were substantially higher in the AT line. No line differences were displayed in the activation of adenylate cyclase activity by dopamine or norepinephrine. It is concluded that ethanol in vivo may inhibit neuronal adenylate cyclase activity and that cerebellar phosphorylation may be a regulator of motor impairment. Cholinergic mechanisms may also be connected to the ethanol-induced motor impairment.