[Role of sialo compounds in choline uptake by synaptosomes]

Two kinetic mechanisms are responsible for the uptake of choline in Rat brain synaptosomal fractions with different affinity towards the substrate (high affinity mechanism: Km 5.1 microM, Vmax 44 pmol/mg prot/min.; low affinity mechanism: 35.7 microM, Vmax 286 pmol/mg prot/min). The treatment of synaptosomal fractions with neuraminidase (15 min. at 37 degrees C) followed by 1 min. incubation with various concentrations of [14C] choline reduces the uptake in parallel with the disappearance of the high affinity mechanism (Km 202.2 microM, Vmax 119 pmol/mg prot/min.), without influencing the synthesis of acetylcholine.