Sparse Localization Research Articles

Expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid rho 1 and rho 1 Delta 450 as gene fusions with the green fluorescent protein.

The functional characteristics and cellular localization of the gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) rho 1 receptor and its nonfunctional isoform rho 1 Delta 450 were investigated by expressing them as gene fusions with the enhanced version of the green fluorescent protein (GFP). Oocytes injected with rho 1-GFP had receptors that gated chloride channels when activated by GABA. The functional characteristics of these receptors were the same as for those of wild-type rho 1 receptors. Fluorescence, because of the chimeric receptors expressed, was over the whole oocyte but was more intense near the cell surface and more abundant in the animal hemisphere. Similar to the wild type, rho 1 Delta 450-GFP did not lead to the expression of functional GABA receptors, and injected oocytes failed to generate currents even after exposure to high concentrations of GABA. Nonetheless, the fluorescence displayed by oocytes expressing rho 1 Delta 450-GFP was distributed similarly to that of rho 1-GFP. Mammalian cells transfected with the rho 1-GFP or rho 1 Delta 450-GFP constructs showed mostly intracellularly distributed fluorescence in confocal microscope images. A sparse localization of fluorescence was observed in the plasma membrane regardless of the cell line used. We conclude that rho 1 Delta 450 is expressed and transported close to, and perhaps incorporated into, the plasma membrane. Thus, rho 1- and rho 1 Delta 450-GFP fusions provide a powerful tool to visualize the traffic of GABA type C receptors.

Localisation of prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase (PGHS)-1 and PGHS-2 in bone following mechanical loading in vivo.

Recent data suggests that induction of prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase-2 (PGHS-2) is critical for the anabolic response of lamellar bone elicited by mechanical strain in vivo. The aim of the present study was to localise PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 in rat tibiae following four-point bending in vivo. Right tibiae of 19 adult female rats were subjected to 300 cycles of bending or sham loading at 2.0 Hz with an applied load of 65 N. At 0, 6, and 24 hr postloading, rats were anaesthetised and perfused with Bouin's fixative. Left and right tibiae were dissected, postfixed for 4 hr at 4 degrees C, decalcified in EDTA, and embedded in paraffin. Serial 5 pM sections were stained for PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 using standard immunoperoxidase procedures. For the first time, immunoreactivity for both PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 was localised in bone cells in situ, in the rat tibia. PGHS-1 was distributed widely in all tibiae, while PGHS-2 showed sparse localisation. At the endocortical surfaces (EcS), osteoblasts, lining cells, and osteocytes close to the surface reacted strongly for PGHS-1, as did intracortical osteocytes. At the periosteal surface (PsS), osteoblasts and cells of the osteogenic region were immunopositive. Immediately after loading, the numerical density (n.mm(-2)) of osteocytes labeled with PGHS-1 was significantly greater in loaded tibiae compared to controls. This increase was not seen after sham loading. At 6 and 24 hr postloading, this difference was no longer evident. Staining for PGHS-2 was sparse compared to PGHS-1. Light to moderate reactivity was observed in osteocytes and canaliculae, but the numerical density of labeled cells was significantly less than that for PGHS-1. Moderate staining was seen in lining cells and osteoblasts at the EcS and PsS of some tibiae. Osteoclasts at the PsS reacted strongly for both PGHS-1 and PGHS-2. There was a similar load-related increase in the density of PGHS-2-labeled osteocytes 0 hr postloading. The labeled osteocyte density had decreased at 6 hr, but remained significantly greater in loaded bones. These results show that both forms of PGHS can be localised in bone cells, with PGHS-1 expressed to a greater extent than PGHS-2. The data also suggest that both PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 may play important roles in the early response of bone to mechanical loading in vivo.

Histochemistry in rat brain and spinal cord with an antibody directed at the cholecystokinin A receptor

Various neurobiological evidence indicates that A-subtype cholecystokinin (CCK A) receptors are widely distributed through the mammalian neuroaxis despite the sparse localization found by receptor autoradiography. To address this paradox, immunohistochemistry has been performed in rat brain and spinal cord using an antibody directed at a portion of the amino terminal sequence of the CCK A receptor. Immunoreactivity, visualised using diaminobenzidine, was widely and topographically distributed being most concentrated in medulla and spinal cord. Many forebrain areas contained specifically labelled neurones, notably the nucleus accumbens, septum, stria terminalis, habenula, substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area and lateral geniculate nucleus. In medulla, heavily labelled perikarya were found in parabrachial and trigeminal nuclei, while in spinal cord immunoreactivity was localized in dorsal horn. Localization of immunoreactivity was consistent with the reported distribution of CCK A receptor-mediated mechanisms. Our observations represent the first attempt to describe the localization of the CCK A receptor in brain using immunohistochemistry and support its wide functional involvement in the central nervous system.