Slow accumulation of choline acetyltransferase in crushed sciatic nerves of the rat

Choline Acetyltransferase (CHAc) activity has been estimated using a microradiochemical method in short segments of rat sciatic nerve at different times after crushing the nerve once or with a second crush 2 cm distal to the first. Above a single or proximal crush, the CHAc levels rose slowly in the 5 mm immediately above the crush to reach about 1 1/2 times control at 24 hr. Distal to a single crush and between two crushes no change was detected in CH‐Ac‐activity up to 18–24 hr. The results are discussed in relation to the rapid accumulation of acetylcholine (ACH) above a crush, and redistribution between two crushes which have previously been demonstrated in the same preparation. It is concluded that the rate of transport of CHAc is probably much slower than that of ACH, and that their mechanismes of transport are not the same.