The metabolism of choline by a sympathetic ganglion

Cat's superior cervical ganglia were perfused with Locke's solution containing choline (Ch) at physiological concentration but labelled (methyl-3H), and the radioactive products in extracts of such ganglia were identified by a combination of selective precipitation and chromatographic tests. Ch was incorporated into acetylcholine (ACh), into phosphorylcholine (PCh), and into phospholipid. The rate of formation of PCh and phospholipid from Ch was measured to be about 2 ng/min of each, and this rate was unaffected by activity or by hemicholinium. Free Ch liberated by PCh or phospholipid turnover is unlikely to be an important source of Ch for ACh synthesis under physiological conditions.