Cytochemical demonstration of cyclic 3', 5' AMP phosphodiesterase in different tissue of migratory locust (Locusta migratoria migratorioides R.F.).

The localization of cyclic 3', 5'-AMP phosphodiesterase was studied by ultrastructural cytochemical methods in the various tissues of Locusta migratoria. Large amounts of electron dense, granular reaction products were detectable on the surface of the corpora allata and the corpus cardiacum, bound to the basal lamina. In the protocerebral neuropile rather large amounts of reaction products were observed in the processes of the glial cells. A significant number of lead phosphate deposit was found to occur on the membrane of certain large axons, the microtubules of the axons, furthermore on the membrane of several terminals. Reaction product was also observable in certain terminals, bound to the synaptic vesicles and the mitochondria. At the same time, electron dense deposits were not detectable at all on the surface of cerebral neurons. In the case of myocardium, reaction product was only found on the basal lamina and the extracellular surface of the sarcolemma. On the basis of our results it can be stated that the cyclic 3', 5'-AMP phosphodiesterase is detectable by cytochemical methods in different tissues of Locusta migratoria and presumably it fulfils the task of the extracellular cAMP level regulation.