[Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase in vertebrates]

Diazepam effects on frog skin cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase

1. The activities of cAMP phosphodiesterases (cAMP-PDE) have been measured in the homogenate of the skin of Rana esculenta. 2. The tissue possesses two distinct enzymes: a "low" Km PDE (Km = 0.42 x 10(-6) M; Vmax = 16 pmol/mg protein/min) and a "high" Km PDE (Km = 180 x 10(-6) M; Vmax = 2853 pmol/mg prot/min). Only the "high" Km form is stimulated by calcium. 3. Diazepam (1-0.5 mM) significantly inhibits both enzymes, the inhibition being of competitive type.

Production of an antiserum against cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase and its use for the immunocytochemical demonstration of this enzyme in rat cerebellum

A procedure for the separation of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase from a commercially available preparation and for raising antibodies against this enzyme in rabbits is described. An antiserum thus obtained was used for the immunocytochemical detection of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase in rat cerebellum. The molecular layer, the granular layer and the cerebellar white matter exhibited different degrees of immunoreactivity. Only a few cell bodies (possibly glial cells) were stained. Most of the antigenic sites were present in the neuropil of the molecular layer and around Purkinje cells. Cerebellar glomeruli, sites of synaptic interactions between mossy fibres, Golgi cells and granule cells, were also stained by this antiserum. Control reactions using preimmune serum were consistently negative.