Prostaglandins: Localization in Subcellular Particles of Rat Cerebral Cortex

Abstract

Homogenates of rat cerebral cortex contain material corresponding to prostaglandins E 1 , E 2 , F 1α , and F 2α which are concentrated mainly in the light microsomal and mitochondrial fractions. Only the former fraction exhibits significant ability to synthesize prostaglandins E 1 and F 1α from bis-homo-γ-linolenic acid. After subfractionation of the crude mitochondrial fraction, prostaglandin E and F material is found mainly in the cholinergic and noncholinergic nerve endings. We conclude that the nerve endings are a storage site, whereas the light microsomes are the site of synthesis.