G-ALPHA(Q) G-ALPHA(11) - IMMUNOLOCALIZATION IN THE OLFACTORY EPITHELIUM OF THE RAT (RATTUS-RATTUS) AND THE CHANNEL CATFISH (ICTALURUS-PUNCTATUS)/

The immunohistochemical localization of G alpha(q)/G alpha(11) was Stu died 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. I mmunoreactivity on the ipsilateral neuorepithelium was abolished five weeks following unilateral bulbectomy. An emergence of patchy immunore activity was found, however, after fifteen weeks. In catfish, G alpha( q)/G alpha(11) antigenicity was found at the apical surface of cells w ithin the olfactory epithelium, at supranuclear regions within some ce ll bodies and in basal nerve tracts of the olfactory rosette. Immunroe activity was removed with unilateral bulbectomy. Specific labelling in both rat and catfish was eliminated by preincubation of the G alpha(q )/G alpha(11) antibodies with the cognate peptide. Proteins were extra cted from olfactory tissues of both species and solubilized. Using wes tern blotting, bands corresponding in apparent molecular weight to a 3 8,000 mel. wt protein were found. These data demonstrate the presence of G alpha(q)/G alpha(11) in the olfactory tissues of these vertebrate s and suggest a role in olfaction for this class of G-protein. Copyrig ht (C) 1996 IBRO.