We have demonstrated the localization of ecto-Ca-ATPase and 5'-nucleotidase activity in the caveolae of smooth muscle cells of guinea pig was deferens and the ileum longitudinal muscle strips with a cerium-precipitation enzyme-cytochemical method. The activities seemed to be strongest in the caveolae. Since the simultaneous presence of the 5'-nucleotidase activity supports the hypothesis that this ecto-Ca-ATPase activity does not have a pump function, but, together with 5'-nucleotidase, may play a role in neurotransmission, these specific membrane invaginations, the caveolae, have a functional relationship with transverse tubules of striated muscle.
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