IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF LYSENIN, A NOVEL PROTEIN ISOLATED FROM THE CELOMIC FLUID OF THE EARTHWORM EISENIA-FOETIDA

Lysenin is a novel protein that was purified from the coelomic fluid o f the earthworm Eisenia foetida (Lumbricidae), and it causes contracti on of the rat aorta (12). The distribution of this protein was examine d immunocytochemically in this species and in the earthworm Pheretima communissima (Megascolecidae) with an antiserum raised in rabbit again st lysenin. A positive immunoreaction was detected only in the large c oelomocytes of E. foetida. In P. communissima, no immunoreaction was d etected in any tissues including coelomocytes. Thus, lysenin seems to be synthesized and stored specifically in the large coelomocytes of E. foetida.