Immunohistochemical detection of GTP-binding regulatory protein (G o) in the autonomic nervous system including the enteric nervous system, superior cervical ganglion and adrenal medulla

Abstract

The localization of a GTP-binding regulatory protein, G o, in the autonomic nervous system including the enteric nervous system, superior cervical ganglion, and adrenal medulla, has been immunohistochemically examined by use of affinity-purified antibody against the α-subunit of G o. In the small intestine, dense G o-immunoreactive products were localized on the enteric nervous system, i.e. the myenteric plexus of Auerbach and the submucosal plexus of Meissner. In the superior cervical ganglion, presynaptic terminals were strongly immunoreactive to the G o antibody. The adrenal medulla was stained with this antibody, but the adrenal cortex was not immunoreactive to this antibody. Thus, the present study strongly suggests that G o is localized in the autonomic nervous system and plays its role in transmembrane signal transmission in this system.