DISTRIBUTION OF AROMATASE-ACTIVITY IN CULTURED NEURONS AND GLIA CELLS

Aromatase plays a crucial role in the mechanism of action of testoster one in the central nervous system. Nevertheless, the exact cellular lo calization of this enzymatic complex within the different cell populat ions of the brain is still uncertain. In the experiments described her e the presence of aromatase (assayed by the tritiated water method) ha s been evaluated in the two main cellular components of the brain: neu rons and glia. Neurons, mixed glial cells, type 1 astrocytes, were obt ained in cultures; oligodendrocytes were prepared by gradient ultracen trifugation. The results indicate that, among the different cells test ed, only neurons possess a significant degree of aromatase activity, w hile the enzymatic activity is extremely low in mixed glial cell and i n astrocyte preparations. Oligodendrocytes seem to be completely inact ive in this respect.