Abstract
The immunohistochemical localization of Gαq/Gα11 was studied in the olfactory and respiratory epithelium of two representative vertebrates, the rat and the channel catfish. Localization in the rat was found at the apical surface of cells in the epithelium and within nerve tracts in the lamina propria. Immunostaining of neuronal cilia and supporting cell microvilli was confirmed by electron microscopy. Immunoreactivity on the ipsilateral neuorepithelium was abolished five weeks following unilateral bulbectomy. An emergence of patchy immunoreactivity was found, however, after fifteen weeks. In catfish, Gαq/Gα11 antigenicity was found at the apical surface of cells within the olfactory epithelium, at supranuclear regions within some cell bodies and in basal nerve tracts of the olfactory rosette. Immunoreactivity was removed with unilateral bulbectomy. Specific labelling in both rat and catfish was eliminated by preincubation of the Gαq/Gα11 antibodies with the cognate peptide. Proteins were extracted from olfactory tissues of both species and solubilized. Using western blotting, bands corresponding in apparent molecular weight to a 38,000 mol. wt protein were found.These data demonstrate the presence of Gαq/Gα11 in the olfactory tissues of these vertebrates and suggest a role in olfaction for this class of G-protein. Copyright © 1996 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
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