Carbonic anhydrase activity in axon terminals of sensory corpuscles.

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Abstract
The distribution of carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity was studied by electron microscopic histochemistry in rat Pacinian corpuscles, Meissner corpuscles and Merkel cell-neurite complexes using the cobalt bicarbonate method. The distribution of CA activity in these anon terminals was compared to the activity in sciatic nerve axons. An intense enzymatic CA activity was demonstrated in axonterminals of both Pacinian and Meissner corpuscles, while a weak activity was found within the axoplasm of terminals abutting Merkel cells. Some large- andmedium-sized axons in sciatic nerves exhibited an intense activity. These findings indicate that large- or medium-diameter sensory axons innervating corpuscular endings have an intesne CA activity extending from their somata to their sensory terminals. Axons to Merkel-neurite complexes differ in CA activity from those innervating Meissner and Pacinian corpuscular endings.