Dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase within laminae of the olfactory tubercle

Abstract

There are three histological laminae within the rat olfactory tubercle: plexiform, pyramidal and polymorphic. We have assayed dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase in homogenates of frozen sections cut parallel to these laminae. Consecutive sections were cut of alternating thickness, 16 micron and 100 micron. The 16 micron sections were stained with toluidine blue to ascertain the depth and orientation of each section. The 100 micron sections were homogenized and assayed for dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase. Substantial levels of dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase were found within all three laminae. The results suggest that the enzyme occurs in cell processes, including dendrites, of the plexiform layer, and they are consistent with the localization of dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase in the pyramidal cells.