Axonal transport of acetylcholinesterase in the diabetic mutant mouse.

During the development of diabetic neuropathy in the mouse C57BL/Ks (db/db), the axonal transport of AChE molecular forms was tested in the sciatic nerve, by measuring the accumulation of enzyme activity in front of a nerve transection. No alteration of the fast flow rate of G4 and A12 molecular forms was found until 220 days of age. On the other hand, a reduced flow rate of G1 and G2 molecular forms, probably conveyed by slow axoplasmic flow, was noticed in the late phase of diabetic neuropathy. This result is consistent with the view that axonal dwindling could be related to disturbances of slow axonal transport and that the reduction in conduction velocity, observed at an earlier stage, may be due to other causes.