The response of motor neurones to intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin

1. The dry mass and nucleic acid content of both nerve cell bodies and their nucleoli were measured by interference microscopy and ultra-violet absorption microspectrography respectively: succinoxidase and acetylcholine hydrolase activities were also determined. Autoradiography was used to follow synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by glial cells, and to follow nucleic acid and protein metabolism in muscle fibres.2. After injection of botulinum toxin the synthesis of ribosomal RNA by the neurone followed closely the pattern found after axotomy.3. After injection of toxin neuronal dry mass increased before the rate of ribosomal RNA synthesis was raised. This early increase, which was not due to increased protein synthesis, probably represents a ;damming back' of proteins within the nerve cell body.4. After injection of toxin no local accumulation of microglial cells synthesizing DNA was found around the affected neurones: it is suggested that this reflects the intact system for intra-axonal transport under these conditions.5. The affected muscles show increased nucleic acid and protein synthesis.6. It is suggested that the results obtained indicate that membrane expansion or synthesis which occurs both in muscle and in neurone under these circumstances is the factor responsible for inducing directly or indirectly the changes found in nucleic acid metabolism after injection of botulinum toxin and after axotomy.