The activity of neutral ribonucleases in nuclei of rat sympathetic ganglia and effects of nerve injury.

Nuclei were isolated from homogenates of rat superior cervical ganglion by a conventional differential centrifugation technique with approximately 60% recovery. Ribonuclease activity at pH 7.1 (neutral ribonuclease) was associated with the "nuclei fraction" and represented 19% of the overall activity in normal ganglia. Ribonuclease in the "nuclei fraction" was stimulated variably by the sulfhydryl blocker N-ethylmaleimide indicating that a proportion was bound to the endogenous ribonuclease inhibitor present in these ganglia. The total activity of nuclear ribonuclease was increased 2-6 days after postganglionic nerve injury, such that the inhibitor-bound form of the enzyme increased maximally by 600% at day 4. The percentage of the total ganglionic activity in the "nuclei fraction" decreased in injured ganglia as a result of a rise in the activity of non-nuclear components. The changes in nuclear ribonuclease activity were distinct from those in the 850 g supernatant indicating that specific nuclear enzymes are being affected during regeneration.