Neurones in autonomic ganglia of normal horses contain phosphorylated neurofilaments

Summary Neurofilaments (NE) are composed of three polypeptides of differing molecular size, termed NF-L, NF-M and NF-H. The NF-H and, to a lesser degree, NF-M components are phosphorylated. In the majority of normal neurones, the location of phosphorylated NF is confined to neuronal processes, particularly the axon, and excluded from the perikaryon. Cell bodies of autonomic neurones of the rat do not contain phosphorylated NF. In many disease states, phosphorylated NF accumulate in the neuronal cell body and therefore in most circumstances their presence indicates abnormality. This paper reports that in at least two autonomic ganglia of normal horses (stellate and coeliomesenteric) the vast majority of neuronal perikarya immunostain strongly for phosphorylated NF. Pretreatment with alkaline phosphatase abolishes staining.