Abstract
As compared with the nerve tissue of mammals, that of insects is known to be particularly rich in acetylcholinesterase1 and in choline-acetylase2. On the other hand, nothing has been reported so far about the occurrence in insects of another enzyme which, in mammals, is characteristic of nerve tissue, namely, glutamic acid decarboxylase. Its reaction product, γ-aminobutyric acid, has been recently found in the free state in bee nerve tissue, in amounts of the same order, on the basis of fresh weight, as in mammalian nerve tissue (Carta, S., and Frontali, N., unpublished work).
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Metcalf, R. L., and March, R. B., J. Econ. Entomol., 43, 670 (1950).
Smallman, B. N., J. Physiol., 132, 343 (1956).
Roberts, E., Younger, F., and Fränkel, S., J. Biol. Chem., 191, 277 (1951).
Beloff-Chain, A., Catanzaro, R., Chain, E. B., Masi, I., Pocchiari, F., Rossi, C., Proc. Roy. Soc., B, 143, 481 (1955).
Kolthoff, J. M., and Vleeschhouwer, J. J., Biochem. Z., 189, 191 (1927).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
FRONTALI, N. Activity of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase in Insect Nerve Tissue. Nature 191, 178–179 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1038/191178b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/191178b0
This article is cited by
-
Neurochemistry of GABAergic activities in the central nervous system ofLocusta migratoria
Journal of Comparative Physiology A (1985)
-
Structural and functional properties of synapses in insects
Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology (1973)
-
Content and synthesis of γ-aminobutyric acid in the larval brain ofDrosophila melanogaster
Experientia (1968)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
