Catechol‐O‐Methyltransferase in Autonomic and Sensory Ganglia of the Cat

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Abstract
Catechol‐o‐methyltransferase (COMT) activity was determined in normal and preganglionically denervated sympathetic ganglia as well as in parasympathetic and sensory ganglia of the cat by means of the micro‐radiochemical method of McCaman (1965). Low levels of COMT activity were found to be present in all three types of investigated ganglia. In the sympathetic ganglia the COMT activity was almost evenly distributed. No correlation could be demonstrated between COMT activity, monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity and the reported catecholamine content in the various sympathetic ganglia. Preganglionic denervation of sympathetic ganglia did not significantly change the enzyme activity. The results indicate that in the autonomic ganglia COMT is confined neither to presynaptic structures nor to “adrenergic” neurons.