The isolation anc characterization of an oligodendroglial cell fraction from adult bovine brain white matter and myelinating rat brain [proceedings]

UDP-galactose:ceramide galactosyl transferase of isolated oligodendroglia

The activity of UDP-galactose:ceramide galactosyl transferase (CGalT) has been studied in isolated oligodendroglia from bovine brain white matter and myelinating rat brain. The specific activity and activity per mg DNA are 4- and 10-fold higher in rat oligodendroglia compared with neuronal perikarya from rat brain, and is higher in oligodendroglia from myelinating rat brain compared with bovine oligodendroglia. In membranes isolated from oligodendroglia, the specific activity decreased in the order endoplasmic reticulum greater than plasma membrane greater than myelin.

Alcohol dehydrogenase-coupled spectrophotometric assay of plasmalogenase

Plasmalogenase has been assayed by conversion of the fatty aldehydes, released by hydrolysis of the vinyl ether bond of plasmalogens, to long-chain alcohols by horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase. The reaction was followed spectrophotometrically by measuring the oxidation of NADH. The assay is sufficiently sensitive to enable plasmalogenase activity to be determined in isolated oligodendroglia and derived membranes and in brain microsomal membranes using 50-250 micrograms protein.