AN INVESTIGATION OF INHIBITORY TRANSMITTER SUBSTANCE IN HEART OF MOLLUSC TAPES WATLINGI

1. 1. Aqueous extracts have been prepared from the visceral ganglion and from the heart of Tapes watlingi. 2. 2. The extracts were shown to contain a cholinomimetic substance which could not be distinguished from acetylcholine on paper chromoatograms developed in four different solvent systems. 3. 3. Perfusates collected from hearts arrested by visceral ganglion stimulation were also found to contain a substance which behaved similarly to acetylcholine when tested on paper chromatograms and by gel filtration. 4. 4. It is concluded that the heart and visceral ganglion of Tapes watlingi contain acetylcholine and that this compound is released from the cardio-regulatory nerves as the inhibitory transmitter following visceral ganglion stimulations. © 1968.