Journal article

Publication year: 2003

Pages: 473-477

Journal: American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology

Volume number: 28

Issue number: 4

ISSN: 1044-1549

eISSN: 1535-4989

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1165/rcmb.2002-0190OC

Publisher: American Thoracic Society

Abstract: 
The rate limiting step in neuronal acetylcholine (ACh) synthesis is the uptake of choline by the high-affinity choline transporter (CHT1). Here, we investigated the distribution of CHT1 in the rattrachea. CHT1-mRNA was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in trachea without epithelium, abraded tracheal mucosa, and in epithelial cells obtained by laser-assisted cell-picking. Accordingly, CHT1-mRNA could also be detected in tracheal epithelial cells by in situ hybridization. Recently obtained polyclonal rabbit and guinea-pig antisera against a synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acid residues 29-40 of the rat CHT1 sequence localized CHT1 protein in combination with antisera against the vesicular acetylcholine transporter in cholinergic fibers innervating tracheal glands and the tracheal muscle. In case of the tracheal epithelium, CHT1 was restricted to the apical membrane of the ciliated cells, as demonstrated by confocal laser scanning and electron microscopy using an affinity-purified CHT1 antiserum. The close apposition of CHT1 to reported sites of localization of choline acetyltransferase in these cells is strongly in favor of ACh synthesis being fuelled by choline uptake via CHT1 after release and breakdown of ACh at the luminal surface. Accordingly, cholinergic regulation of tracheal epithelial function is governed by local release and recycling of ACh by ciliated cells.

Harvard Citation style: Pfeil, U., Lips, K., Eberling, L., Grau, V., Haberberger, R. and Kummer, W. (2003) Expression of the high-affinity choline transporter, CHT1, in the rat trachea, American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, 28(4), pp. 473-477. https://doi.org/10.1165/rcmb.2002-0190OC

APA Citation style: Pfeil, U., Lips, K., Eberling, L., Grau, V., Haberberger, R., & Kummer, W. (2003). Expression of the high-affinity choline transporter, CHT1, in the rat trachea. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. 28(4), 473-477. https://doi.org/10.1165/rcmb.2002-0190OC