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Results for “Colocalization”

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At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

Developmental regulation of PV-1 in rat lung: association with the nuclear envelope and limited colocalization with Cav-1.

Plasmalemma vesicle protein-1 (PV-1) is a caveolae-associated protein that is enriched in lung endothelial cells. The PV-1 protein is first detected in the lung at embryonic day 12, before that of caveolin-1 (Cav-1). There is a postnatal rise in PV-1 and Cav-1 mRNA levels, reaching a peak at the time of weaning and declining to their lowest levels in the adult lung. In contrast, the PV-1 protein progressively increases during postnatal development with its highest levels in the adult lung; the Cav-1 protein remains relatively constant throughout this period. Alveolar endothelial cells express both PV-1 and Cav-1 proteins, but PV-1, unlike Cav-1, is also detectable in some bronchial epithelial cells. Endothelial cells transfected with a rat PV-1 construct show a punctate membrane distribution of PV-1, perinuclear accumulation, and an association with the nuclear envelope. In these cells, PV-1 exhibits only partial perinuclear colocalization with Cav-1 and F-actin. In summary, PV-1 is developmentally regulated in the rat lung and shows a divergent intracellular localization, with a limited caveolae/Cav-1 colocalization in cultured endothelial cells.

Aging↗

PubMed1992

Colocalization of GAPDH and band 3 (AE1) proteins in rat erythrocytes and kidney intercalated cell membranes.

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.2.12) (GAPDH) is a multifunctional protein that associates with the cytoplasmic face of intact human erythrocyte membranes. This association has been postulated to be critically dependent on the interaction of GAPDH with the highly acidic NH2-terminal domain of the principal integral membrane protein of the erythrocyte plasma membrane, the band 3 anion exchanger (AE1). This domain is not conserved in murine erythrocyte AE1 and is fully deleted in the alternatively spliced AE1 isoform that is expressed in the kidney. The lack of conservation of this domain has been proposed to explain the reported absence of GAPDH association with rodent erythrocyte membranes. To determine whether GAPDH could be associated with AE1 proteins in rodent cell membranes, specific rabbit antibodies to peptide sequences of rat GAPDH and mouse AE1 were used to immunolocalize these proteins in sequential semithin sections of rat erythrocytes and kidney medulla. In rat erythrocytes, GAPDH immunoreactivity was predominantly membrane associated and colocalized with AE1. In the kidney medulla, GAPDH was concentrated in the basolateral membrane of type A intercalated cells, where it colocalized with the alternatively spliced kidney form of AE1. GAPDH immunoreactivity was not detected in the plasma membrane of any other cell type in the kidney, indicating its predominant association with AE1-rich membranes. If this membrane interaction occurs via AE1 binding, then GAPDH must have binding sites in addition to those previously described for such binding in human AE1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2003

Two neuropeptides colocalized in a command-like neuron use distinct mechanisms to enhance its fast synaptic connection.

In many neurons more than one peptide is colocalized with a classical neurotransmitter. The functional consequence of such an arrangement has been rarely investigated. Here, within the feeding circuit of Aplysia, we investigate at a single synapse the actions of two modulatory neuropeptides that are present in a cholinergic interneuron. In combination with previous work, our study shows that the command-like neuron for feeding, CBI-2, contains two neuropeptides, feeding circuit activating peptide (FCAP) and cerebral peptide 2 (CP2). Previous studies showed that high-frequency prestimulation or repeated stimulation of CBI-2 increases the size of CBI-2 to B61/62 excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) and shortens the latency of firing of neuron B61/62 in response to CBI-2 stimulation. We find that both FCAP and CP2 mimic these two effects. The variance method of quantal analysis indicates that FCAP increases the calculated quantal size (q) and CP2 increases the calculated quantal content (m) of EPSPs. Since the PSP amplitude represents the product of q and m, the joint action of the two peptides is expected to be cooperative. This observation suggests a possible functional implication for multiple neuropeptides colocalized with a classical neurotransmitter in one neuron.

Action Potentials↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Urokinase plasminogen activator colocalizes with CD25+ cells in atherosclerotic vessels.

Proteolytic activity in vascular tissue is necessary for cellular migration, remodelling of extracellular matrix and the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Inflammatory cells, mainly macrophages, are numerous in atherosclerotic plaques and may synthesize and secrete proteolytic enzymes. The principal activator of plasminogen in tissues is urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA). To determine if an activated phenotype of inflammatory cells colocalizes with local expression of u-PA in atherosclerotic vessels, vascular biopsies from 15 patients with peripheral atherosclerotic disease were analyzed by immunohistochemistry on consecutive sections. Anti-CD68 antibodies were used as markers for macrophages and were positive in 14/15 specimens. Anti-CD25 (interleukin-2 receptor-alpha) antibodies were used to identify inflammatory cells with an activated phenotype and were positive in 9/14 CD68+ specimens. The same 9 specimens were positive for u-PA. A positive reaction for u-PA was found only in specimens with CD25+ cells. Specimens with positive reactions for all three antibodies were further analyzed with computer-assisted image analysis. The colocalization with u-PA was higher for CD25 compared to CD68 in all specimens. Mean percentage of the u-PA-positive area in regions positive for cellular markers was 52% (SEM 6%) for CD25 and 19% (SEM 5%) for CD68 (p < 0.01). The results indicated that the activation of macrophages in atherosclerotic vessels may modulate local proteolysis and be of importance in plaque development and stability.

Aged↗

PubMed1991

Colocalization of delta sleep inducing peptide and luteinizing hormone releasing hormone in neurosecretory vesicles in rat median eminence.

The colocalization of immunoreactivities similar to delta sleep inducing peptide (DSIP) and luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH) was investigated by light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry in the rat median eminence. At the light microscopic level, DSIP and LH-RH immunostained fibers, and varicosities exhibited a similar distribution pattern throughout the median eminence. Immunoreactive axons were mainly found in the lateral part of the external layer. Using an elution-restaining technique, the coexistence of LH-RH and DSIP immunoreactivities was observed in most labelled axons. To determine the intracellular localization of DSIP and LH-RH, we used double immunocytochemical labelling with species-specific antibodies and secondary antibodies conjugated to different sizes of gold particles. The two peptides were found colocalized in single axons. Immunoreactive terminals frequently showed direct membrane apposition with tanycyte processes but rare contacts with portal capillaries. No staining was observed in tanycytes and ependymal or glial elements. Moreover, we could demonstrate that LH-RH and DSIP (or a closely related molecular form) are contained not only in the same axons, but also in the same approximately 100-nm dense-core vesicles, suggesting cosecretion of these peptides.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Calretinin in the rat pituitary: colocalization with thyroid-stimulating hormone.

The purpose of this study was to examine the distribution of calretinin immunoreactivity (CR) in the male rat pituitary gland by immunofluorescence microscopy. CR was found in cells of the anterior pituitary and in granules in the posterior pituitary. In the intermediate lobe, nerve fibers in close proximity to the melanotropes were CR-immunoreactive (CR-ir). Fine CR-ir varicose fibers were also observed in the anterior and posterior pituitary. Colocalization studies revealed that the majority of the CR-containing cells of the anterior pituitary also contained thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). These CR/TSH cells represented about 32% of the thyrotrope population. Following thyroidectomy, a massive increase in both the number of CR-ir cells and in the expression of CR mRNA was observed in the anterior pituitary. Thyroxine treatment, however, resulted in a reduction in the number and size of the CR-ir cells in the same lobe. In the intermediate lobe, CR-ir was colocalized with tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactive dopaminergic fibers. These intermediate lobe fibers disappeared following pituitary stalk section, as did the CR/TH fibers and the CR-ir granular material in the posterior pituitary. The findings in the anterior pituitary suggest that consideration be given to the idea that CR might function in the synthesis and/or release mechanism of TSH in thyrotropes and that its expression is modulated by the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Decorin promotes aortic smooth muscle cell calcification and colocalizes to calcified regions in human atherosclerotic lesions.

OBJECTIVE: Ectopic calcification localized to the intima of atherosclerotic plaque is a risk marker for cardiovascular events and increases the risk of aortic dissection during angioplasty. A variety of extracellular matrix molecules such as collagen type 1, bone sialoprotein, and osteopontin are known to regulate the biomineralization of bone and ectopic vascular calcification. In the present study, it was investigated whether decorin, a small leucine-rich proteoglycan expressed in bone and atherosclerotic plaque, is involved in arterial calcification. METHODS AND RESULTS: Calcification was induced in cultured bovine aortic smooth muscle cell (BASMC) by the addition of beta-glycerophosphate or inorganic phosphate. Northern and Western analysis revealed that decorin expression was strongly upregulated in mineralizing BASMC. Furthermore, overexpression of decorin using a retroviral expression vector resulted in a 3- to 4-fold elevation of calcium deposited on the BASMC monolayer. Increased calcification in response to decorin could also be mimicked by adding exogenous decorin to the cultures. In addition, human coronary atherosclerotic lesions taken from sudden-death patients showed marked colocalization of calcium deposits with decorin. CONCLUSIONS: Decorin induces calcification of arterial smooth muscle cell cultures and colocalizes to mineral deposition in human atherosclerotic plaque, suggesting that decorin functions as promoter of intimal calcification.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

C-reactive protein frequently colocalizes with the terminal complement complex in the intima of early atherosclerotic lesions of human coronary arteries.

There is increasing evidence that complement activation may play a role in atherogenesis. Complement proteins have been demonstrated to be present in early atherosclerotic lesions of animals and humans, and cholesterol-induced atherosclerotic lesion formation is reduced in complement-deficient animals. Potential complement activators in atherosclerotic lesions are now a subject matter of debate. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein that is involved in inflammatory processes in numerous ways. It binds to lipoproteins and activates the complement system via the classic pathway. In this study we have investigated early atherosclerotic lesions of human coronary arteries by means of immunohistochemical staining. We demonstrate here that CRP deposits in the arterial wall in early atherosclerotic lesions with 2 predominant manifestations. First, there is a diffuse rather than a focal deposition in the deep fibroelastic layer and in the fibromuscular layer of the intima adjacent to the media. In this location, CRP frequently colocalizes with the terminal complement complex. Second, the majority of foam cells below the endothelium show positive staining for CRP. In this location, no colocalization with the terminal complement proteins can be observed. Our data suggest that CRP may promote atherosclerotic lesion formation by activating the complement system and being involved in foam cell formation.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Cyclooxygenase-2 is widely expressed in atherosclerotic lesions affecting native and transplanted human coronary arteries and colocalizes with inducible nitric oxide synthase and nitrotyrosine particularly in macrophages.

Inflammation appears to have a major role in the development of atherosclerotic lesions affecting native and transplanted coronary arteries. The subsequent risk of plaque rupture and acute ischemic events correlates with the degree of inflammation and may be modified by aspirin, an anti-inflammatory cyclooxygenase inhibitor. Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) are involved in the inflammatory response via the rapid and exaggerated production of prostanoids and nitric oxide, both of which may have proatherosclerotic effects. These effects may be mediated by the formation of peroxynitrite in the case of nitric oxide and involve "cross talk" between the two enzyme systems. This study aimed to investigate native and transplant atherosclerosis for the presence and distribution of Cox-2 and iNOS. Immunocytochemical studies were performed on atherosclerotic lesions from patients with native (n=12) and transplant (n=5) coronary disease by using antibodies to Cox-2, iNOS, and nitrotyrosine (an indicator of peroxynitrite production). Control tissue was obtained from unused donor hearts and at the time of autopsy. Cox-2 and iNOS colocalized predominantly in macrophages/foam cells in both types of atherosclerosis. Cox-2 expression was also detected in medial smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells, including those of the vasa vasorum. Nitrotyrosine was found in the same distribution as that of iNOS and was colocalized with Cox-2 in macrophages. Cox-2 and iNOS are coexpressed in native and transplant atherosclerosis, possibly allowing for interaction between the enzymes and suggesting an alternative mechanism for the benefits of aspirin via inhibition of Cox-2 activity.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Endogenous retinoic acid signaling colocalizes with advanced expression of the adult smooth muscle myosin heavy chain isoform during development of the ductus arteriosus.

During fetal development, a specialized vessel the ductus arteriosus, shunts blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta, thus bypassing the lungs. The ductus differs primarily from the great vessels in that it is a muscular rather than an elastic artery, and the etiology of this differential development remains controversial. We present evidence that retinoic acid (RA) may contribute to the unique muscle phenotype of the ductus arteriosus. Using a transgenic mouse carrying an RA response element-lacZ transgene that expresses beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) in response to endogenous RA signals during embryonic and fetal development, we observe a strong beta-gal signal in the ductus arteriosus. By immunofluorescence, this signal colocalizes with the expression of the adult-specific smooth muscle myosin heavy chain isoform, SM2. The beta-gal signal is present throughout fetal development and persists in the neonate until the ductus arteriosus is completely closed. beta-Gal-positive cells are first detected by immunofluorescence at 13.5 days postcoitum (dpc) in the mesenchyme surrounding the ductus. By 15.5 dpc, very intense beta-gal staining localizes to the ductus arteriosus but is absent or minimal in the pulmonary trunk and aortic arch; by 17.5 dpc, the smooth muscle layers of the tunica media in the ductus arteriosus exhibit positive beta-gal staining. Immunostaining with antibodies against smooth muscle myosins shows that, while SM1 is expressed in all embryonic vessels, SM2 is precociously expressed in the ductus arteriosus. Furthermore, SM2 expression can be detected in the ductus as early as 15.5 dpc. In the neonate, the beta-gal signal persists in the smooth muscle layer of the ductus and immunostaining colocalizes with SM2 expression. These data suggest that RA may play a role in inducing and maintaining smooth muscle differentiation in the developing ductus arteriosus and may promote precocious expression of the adult vascular phenotype.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester facilitates cell tracing and colocalization studies in bioartificial organ engineering.

BACKGROUND: We demonstrate a method that includes colocalization studies to analyze cell suspensions after isolation and to characterize 3-dimensional grafts consisting of cells and matrix in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were labelled by CFDA-SE after harvest. Cells in the isolated cell suspension, the embodied cells in the seeded scaffolds were characterized measuring features such as viability and distribution of the cell types. RESULTS: Selective cell count revealed high yields of viable cardiomyocytes. After seeding cells in collagen matrix, viability of the cells decreased gradually in the time process in vitro. Histology of implanted bioartificial myocardial tissue detected viable cardiomyocytes within the graft. CONCLUSION: Using colocalization histology we could label and track cells within the bioartificial myocardial tissue graft in vitro and post implant and assess viability and distribution.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Fractional attachment of CD47 (IAP) to the erythrocyte cytoskeleton and visual colocalization with Rh protein complexes.

Interactions of CD47 and RhAG and the Rh proteins are visualized between one another and with the cytoskeleton of intact erythrocytes. In a first study, CD47 is labeled with a phycoerythrin (PhE)- tagged antibody, which generates discrete spots that reflect induced clusters of CD47. Rh and RhAG colocalize with each other and to these induced clusters, whereas Band 3 and glycophorin C remain more homogeneously dispersed on the cell periphery. In a second study, red cells are aspirated into a micropipette, and immunofluorescent maps of the surface gradients that develop for CD47 and RhAG determine cytoskeletal connectivity. CD47 and RhAG gradients on normal red cells prove to be nearly identical and also appear intermediate to those found for the fluid bilayer and network-linked glycophorin C. Similar gradients are obtained for CD47 on Rh(null) cells, suggesting that linkage of CD47 to the spectrin-actin skeleton is independent of Rh or RhAG and is not affected by CD47's reduced surface expression on these cells. The results show that CD47 colocalizes with Rh and RhAG but is fractionally attached to the red cell membrane skeleton independent of these and other major integral membrane proteins involved in cytoskeletal attachment. The results imply a homogeneous base distribution of CD47, restrained by cytoskeleton linkages, plus a smaller fraction of CD47, which is able to diffuse in the membrane.

Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte↗

PubMed2001

Expression and colocalization of cytokeratin 1 and urokinase plasminogen activator receptor on endothelial cells.

The cellular localization of human cytokeratin 1 (CK1), urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), and gC1qR, high-molecular-weight kininogen (HK)-binding proteins on endothelial cells, was determined. CK1 was found on the external membrane of nonpermeabilized endothelial cells by immunoperoxidase staining, immunofluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy using immunogold. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) had 7.2 +/- 0.2 x 10(4) specific CK1 membrane sites/cell by (125)I-F(ab')(2) anti-CK1 antibody binding. Flow cytometry studies confirmed the presence of CK1, uPAR, and gC1qR on HUVECs. On laser scanning confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, CK1 and uPAR, but not gC1qR, colocalized on the cell surface of HUVECs. The HUVEC surface distribution of these proteins was distinctly different from that for von Willebrand factor. In competitive inhibition experiments, anti-CK1, anti-uPAR, or anti-gC1qR blocked both biotin-HK binding and prekallikrein (PK) activation on HUVECs with an inhibitory concentration of 50% (IC(50)) of 300 to 350 nM, 50 to 60 nM, or 35 to 100 nM, respectively. Also, antibodies to uPAR and gC1qR each inhibited 86% of kallikrein-mediated, 2-chain urokinase plasminogen activation, whereas antibodies to CK1 only inhibited 24% of plasminogen activation. On HUVECs, CK1 and uPAR, but not gC1qR, colocalized to be a multiprotein receptor complex for HK binding, PK activation, and 2-chain urokinase plasminogen activation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2006

Colocalization of somatostatin receptors and epidermal growth factor receptors in breast cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Somatostatin receptor (SSTR) expression is positively correlated with tumor size and inversely correlated with epidermal growth factor receptor (ErbB) levels and tumor differentiation. In the present study, we compared SSTR1-5 and ErbB1-4 mRNA and protein expression in two breast cancer cell lines: MCF-7 (ER+) and MDA-MB-231 (ERalpha-). RESULTS: All five SSTRs and four ErbBs were variably expressed as both cell surface and cytoplasmic proteins. In both cell lines, SSTR4 and SSTR1 were highly expressed, followed by SSTR2 and SSTR5 with SSTR3 being the least expressed subtype, at the protein level. ErbBs were variably expressed with ErbB1 as the predominant subtype in both cell lines. ErbB1 is followed by ErbB3, ErbB2 and ErbB4 in MCF-7 at both the protein and mRNA levels. In MDA-MB-231 cells, ErbB1 is followed by ErbB2, ErbB4 and ErbB3. Our results indicate significant correlations at the level of mRNA and protein expression in a cell and receptor-specific manner. Using indirect immunofluorescence, we found that, in MCF-7 cells, SSTR5 was the most prominent subtype coexpressed with ErbBs followed by SSTR3, SSTR4, SSTR1 and SSTR2, respectively. In MDA-MB-231 cells, SSTR1 colocalized strongly with ErbBs followed by SSTR5, SSTR4, SSTR3 and SSTR2. ErbBs displayed higher levels of colocalization amongst themselves in MCF-7 cells than in MDA-MB-231 cells. CONCLUSION: These findings may explain the poor response to endocrine therapy in ER-cancer. Differential distribution of SSTR subtypes with ErbBs in breast cancer cells in a receptor-specific manner may be considered as a novel diagnosis for breast tumors.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Evolutionary conservation analysis increases the colocalization of predicted exonic splicing enhancers in the BRCA1 gene with missense sequence changes and in-frame deletions, but not polymorphisms.

INTRODUCTION: Aberrant pre-mRNA splicing can be more detrimental to the function of a gene than changes in the length or nature of the encoded amino acid sequence. Although predicting the effects of changes in consensus 5' and 3' splice sites near intron:exon boundaries is relatively straightforward, predicting the possible effects of changes in exonic splicing enhancers (ESEs) remains a challenge. METHODS: As an initial step toward determining which ESEs predicted by the web-based tool ESEfinder in the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1 are likely to be functional, we have determined their evolutionary conservation and compared their location with known BRCA1 sequence variants. RESULTS: Using the default settings of ESEfinder, we initially detected 669 potential ESEs in the coding region of the BRCA1 gene. Increasing the threshold score reduced the total number to 464, while taking into consideration the proximity to splice donor and acceptor sites reduced the number to 211. Approximately 11% of these ESEs (23/211) either are identical at the nucleotide level in human, primates, mouse, cow, dog and opossum Brca1 (conserved) or are detectable by ESEfinder in the same position in the Brca1 sequence (shared). The frequency of conserved and shared predicted ESEs between human and mouse is higher in BRCA1 exons (2.8 per 100 nucleotides) than in introns (0.6 per 100 nucleotides). Of conserved or shared putative ESEs, 61% (14/23) were predicted to be affected by sequence variants reported in the Breast Cancer Information Core database. Applying the filters described above increased the colocalization of predicted ESEs with missense changes, in-frame deletions and unclassified variants predicted to be deleterious to protein function, whereas they decreased the colocalization with known polymorphisms or unclassified variants predicted to be neutral. CONCLUSION: In this report we show that evolutionary conservation analysis may be used to improve the specificity of an ESE prediction tool. This is the first report on the prediction of the frequency and distribution of ESEs in the BRCA1 gene, and it is the first reported attempt to predict which ESEs are most likely to be functional and therefore which sequence variants in ESEs are most likely to be pathogenic.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMed2002

Colocalization of progesterone receptors in parvicellular dynorphin neurons of the ovine preoptic area and hypothalamus.

Recent evidence suggests that the dynorphin-kappa receptor opioid system acts to mediate the inhibitory effect of progesterone (P) on GnRH pulse frequency during the luteal phase of the ovine estrous cycle. It is known that progesterone receptors (PRs) are required for the actions of P on GnRH secretion. Therefore, if P acts directly on dynorphin (DYN) neurons, then these neurons should contain PRs. To test this hypothesis, we used a dual-label immunoperoxidase procedure to visualize PRs and DYN in the preoptic area (POA) and hypothalamus of ovary-intact ewes killed during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle. The PR was colocalized in more than 90% of parvicellular DYN neurons in the POA, anterior hypothalamus (AHA), and arcuate nucleus (ARC). By contrast, none of magnocellular DYN cells of the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei coexpressed immunoreactive PRs. The high percentage of colocalization of PRs in parvicellular DYN cells of the POA, AHA, and ARC suggests that these cells are prime targets of P. In addition, DYN cells in the ARC, but not the POA or AHA, were found to receive synaptic inputs from DYN-positive axon terminals. This observation raises the possibility that an ultrashort feedback loop controls the release of DYN from ARC neurons.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Immunocytochemical localization of protein kinase-C subtypes in anterior pituitary cells: colocalization in hormone-containing cells reveals heterogeneity.

We have examined the distribution and colocalization of protein kinase-C (PKC) in cultured rat anterior pituitary cells by light microscopic immunocytochemistry using monoclonal antibodies to group A rat brain PKC subspecies. Type I (PKC gamma) was not detected in the cells, in line with the assertion that the gamma-enzyme is expressed specifically in central nervous tissues. The other subspecies recognized by the antibodies (PKC beta and PKC alpha) were present throughout the cytoplasm in a diffused pattern, while the nuclei were apparently unstained. The number of cells stained with the antibodies in juvenile animals (12 days old) increased rapidly with age and reached a plateau between adult (5-month-old) and older (1-yr-old) rats. Type II (PKC beta) was the predominant subspecies detected in anterior pituitary cells. Double immunofluorescence staining techniques enabled the colocalization of PKC with various anterior pituitary cell types. Surprisingly, not all of the hormone-producing cells were stained with the PKC antibodies. Moreover, within the different pituitary cell types, the percentage of PKC-stained cells varied, revealing heterogeneity among the various cell populations. Thus, among somatrophs, mammotrophs, thyrotrophs, ACTH-containing cells, and gonadotrophs, only 9%, 22%, 13%, 44%, and 26%, respectively, reacted with the PKC antibodies. We suggest that activation of pituitary PKC might mobilize only a fraction of the hormone-containing cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Immunocytochemical colocalization of hypothalamic progestin receptors and tyrosine hydroxylase in steroid-treated monkeys.

Progesterone (P)-induced PRL secretion in estradiol (E)-primed monkeys is not due to direct pituitary stimulation, because lactotropes do not express progestin receptors (PR). However, the hypothalamus, particularly the tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic system (TIDA), plays a major role in the regulation of PRL secretion. To determine whether hypothalamic dopamine neurons are progestin target cells, the colocalization of PR and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a phenotypic marker of dopaminergic neurons, was examined with double immunocytochemistry. Two methods for visualizing the antigens were applied; the first was a dual peroxidase method, and the second was a peroxidase-alkaline phosphatase method. In addition, the question of whether E induces PR in dopamine neurons was explored. Spayed female monkeys were treated with empty Silastic capsules, E-filled capsules for a period of 28 days, or E capsules supplemented with P capsules for the last 14 days of E treatment. Only the E- plus P-treated monkeys exhibited an increase in serum PRL during the P treatment period. Frontal sections at the level of the optic chiasm and arcuate nucleus were examined for the colocalization of TH and PR. After E treatment, hypothalamic PR-positive cells increased in both intensity and number. Neurons expressing both TH and PR were detected in the rostral hypothalamus, lateral to the third ventricle (A11-rostral) and in a discrete subventricular population (A11-subvent). The lateral population continued caudally (A11-caudal). The A11-subvent population exhibited little steroid regulation. Of the remaining A11 TH neurons, approximately 20% exhibited PR in the spayed and E-treated groups. Addition of P doubled the percentage of PR-containing TH neurons in this group. Although very few TH-positive neurons in the ventral arcuate nucleus contained PR (A12-ventral), many double labeled neurons were observed in the dorsal arcuate region (A12-dorsal). Ventral arcuate TIDA neurons were not regulated by steroids, but E plus P increased PR expression in A12-dorsal. Double labeled cells were rarely seen in the zona incerta (A13) or the emerging ventral tegmental area (A10). In summary, P probably does not act directly on ventral arcuate TIDA neurons to stimulate PRL secretion. However, the frequency of PR-positive dopamine neurons in the A11-rostral, A11-caudal, and A12-dorsal groups increased with E and P treatment. Therefore, the contribution of the PR-positive periventricular dopamine neurons to progestin-stimulated PRL secretion may be important.

Animals↗