Transynaptic stimulation of phosphatidylinositol metabolism in sympathetic neurons in situ.

An increase in 32P labelling of phosphatidylinositol, associated with synaptic activity, has previously been reported in excised sympathetic ganglia excited by preganglionic nerve impulses. In the present experiments a similar effect occurred in naturally-stimulated ganglia. It occurred when the preganglionic impulses were either evoked by electrical stimulation of the preganglionic nerve or were discharged spontaneously from the central nervous system. Thus increased turnover of phosphatidylinositol appears to be a normal accompaniment of synaptic transmission in these ganglia.