SYNTHESIS OF ACETYLCHOLINE IN ELECTRIC ORGAN OF TORPEDO

1. 1. The acetylcholine content of the electric organs of Torpedo marmorata and T. torpedo has been determinedm, using several extraction techniques, to be between 65 and 165 μg/g of fresh tissue. 2. 2. The total choline content is between 126 and 146 per cent of that present as the ester alone. 3. 3. The electric organ contains choline acetyltransferase which is capable, under the optimum incubation conditions, of producing 5-8 mg acetylcholine/ hr per g of fresh tissue. 4. 4. An unusually large effect of temperature on the Km of choline acetyltransferase for choline and acetyl CoA, relative to mammalian enzyme, is described. © 1969.