Adrenocorticotropin-like immunoreactivity in the granules of neural complex cells of the ascidian Halocynthia roretzi.

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Immunohistochemical studies on the neural complex (neural gland, dorsal strand, and cerebral ganglion) of an ascidian, Halocynthia roretzi, were performed by using an antiserum against porcine ACTH. The antiserum recognized a considerable number of the cells scattered along the tubular structure of the dorsal strand and a few cells in the cerebral ganglion. Immunoelectron microscopic studies revealed that the ACTH-like substance resided within secretory granules with diameter of 300-500 nm. Furthermore, those ACTH-immunoreactive cells were demonstrated to be different from PRL-immunoreactive cells, the presence of which had previously been reported.