Light and electron microscopic immunolocalization of L-asparaginase in the rat central nervous system

The investigation on the localization of L-asparaginase, the enzyme involved in the synthesis of L-aspartic acid, has been carried out using the immunohistochemical method. Antibodies against this enzyme were obtained immunizing BALB/c mice with purified Escherichia coli L-asparaginase. Light microscopic observation revealed positive immunoreactivity in the great majority of neurons and glial cells, and electron microscopic analysis demonstrated immunological localization of the enzyme in the cytosol. The ubiquitous distribution of L-asparaginase suggests its involvement in many important functions of the central nervous system.