WIDESPREAD EXPRESSION OF ECTO-APYRASE (CD39) IN THE CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM

We have shown that ecto-apyrase protein is expressed in primary neuron s and astrocytes in cell culture (T.-F. Wang, P.A. Rosenberg, G. Guido tti, 1997. Mol. Brain Res. 1997, 47: 295-302). Here we present immunoh istochemical studies showing that ecto-apyrase protein is widely distr ibuted in rat brain, as it is present in neurons of the cerebral corte x, hippocampus and cerebellum as well as in glial cells and endothelia l cells. Ecto-apyrase is enriched in brain postsynaptic density membra ne fractions and is localized in proximity to synaptophysin, the marke r of synaptic vesicles. These results together with the observation th at P2 purinergic receptors are present throughout the brain suggest th at ecto-apyrase is involved in regulating synaptic transmission mediat ed by extracellular ATP. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.