Primary trigeminal afferent neuron of the cat: I. Studies on membrane-bound enzyme histochemistry

The localization of some membrane-associated enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase, glucose-6-phosphatase, Na+,K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase, adenylate cyclase and guanylate cyclase in the Merkel cell-axon complexes, trigeminal ganglia and the principal trigeminal sensory nucleus of the cat was determined at light and electron microscopic level using cytochemical techniques. In the sinus hair follicles (vibrissae), the reaction end product marking alkaline phosphatase and adenosine triphosphatase activities was visualized on the axons running through external follicle epithelium and the 5'-nucleotidase, adenylate- and guanylate cyclase positive reaction was seen to stain the plasma membranes of Merkel cells. In the trigeminal ganglia, the strongest alkaline phosphatase and adenosine triphosphatase activities showed the corresponding areas between the ganglion and satellite cells. 5'-nucleotidase activity was more intense on the neurilemmas and the surrounding glial plasma membranes. In the principle sensory trigeminal nucleus, the central neurons exhibited an intense alkaline phosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase and adenosine triphosphatase activities and much smaller amount of reaction product for adenylate cyclase and guanylate cyclase was observed. In conclusion, membrane-bound enzymes could be histo- and cytochemically demonstrated in all components of primary trigeminal afferent units. Our results have confirmed that the receptor function and the nerve impulses conductance need an intensive molecular and cation exchange, and energy supply.