The activity of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) was investigated in cultured and propagated cerebromicrovascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells using high performance liquid chromatography and immunocytochemistry. The existence of COMT was detected in both cell types. The demonstration of this enzyme activity in the cerebromicrovascular smooth muscle cells, in addition to the endothelium, indicates that the enzymatic barrier to catecholamine is not limited to capillaries, the main constituents of the blood-brain barrier.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Intramural Research (Z01)
Project #
1Z01NS002694-01
Application #
3969068
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1986
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
City
State
Country
United States
Zip Code
Borisovska, Maria; McGinley, Matthew J; Bensen, AeSoon et al. (2011) Loss of olfactory cell adhesion molecule reduces the synchrony of mitral cell activity in olfactory glomeruli. J Physiol 589:1927-41