Electron histochemistry of thiamine pyrophosphatase activity in the neuronal golgi apparatus observed after axotomy and transneuronal deprivation.

Thiamine pyrophosphatase activity of the neuronal Golgi apparatus exhibits specific patterns, characterizing nerve cell types of the rat spinal cord at the light microscopal level. Electron histochemistry reveals TPPase activity within cisterns of the internal part of the dictiosomes and in vesicles associated with the Golgi system. According to electron microscopical studies performed on semi-thin (0.5 mu) sections, TTPase activity outlines a three-dimensional system of fenestrated cisterns and cisterns and vesicles. In accord with literature data, asotomy of motoneurones results in a light microscopic decrease of dictiosomal TTPase activity and in an electron microscopic hypertrophy of the Golgi system. Electron histochemically, TTPase in the hepertrophied cisterns exhibits a sporadic, patchy localization, which is completely restored only in the state of restitution. On the contrary, transection of dorsal roots does not induce any light- or electron microscopic alterations in the TPPase activity of cells in the substantia gelatinosa Rolandi. Alterations of neuronal TPPase reaction offer a methodological possibility for hodological studies.