Isolated nuclei from cells of the cerebral cortex. Preparation and enzyme content

Abstract

Isolated nuclei were obtained from human cerebral cortex by grinding with dilute citrate soln. followed by repeated differential centrifugation at different speeds. Enzyme activities were detd. for nuclei and tissue and for cytoplasm by difference, for 15 subjects. Alkaline phosphatase activity was much higher in the nuclei; carbonic anhydrase activity, in the cytoplasm. Acid phosphatase activity was the same in both. Acetylcholine esterase activity (true choline esterase) was greater in the nucleus except in the 2 infant brains examined. Alkaline phosphatase activity of nuclei appeared to be generally lower in the older subjects. Cytochrome oxidase was found in the nuclei.