Involvement of N-cholinergic synapses in regulating RNA metabolism in sympathetic neurons and satellite gliocytes.

RNA contents in the cytoplasm of neurons and satellite gliocytes in the cranial cervical ganglion of rabbits were determined by photographic cytophotometry during pharmacological blockade of N-cholinergic (N-Ch) synapses with the N-cholinolytic dimecoline (s.c. doses of 10, 30, and 50 mg/kg) and during the gradual decrease and elimination of blockade (1-11 h after dosage). Partial blockade and blockade of intermediate intensity induced concordant variations in RNA contents in the two cell types. This concordance in changes was impaired in conditions of complete blockade. Analysis of these results suggests that N-Ch synaptic processes in the sympathetic ganglion directly modulate quantitative changes in RNA levels in the neuron cytoplasm and represent a factor synchronizing the metabolism of neuronal and glial RNA.