NEUROCALCIN-IMMUNOREACTIVE RECEPTOR-CELLS IN THE RAT OLFACTORY EPITHELIUM AND VOMERONASAL ORGAN

Occurrence of neurocalcin, a calcium-binding protein with three EF han d motifs, was examined immunohistochemically in the rat olfactory epit helium and vomeronasal organ epithelium. Immunoreactivity was detected in receptor cells in these epithelia. Immunoreactions were distribute d in cytoplasm associated with outer mitochondrial membrane, endoplasm ic reticulum and microtubules. Olfactory and vomeronasal nerve fibers in the lamina propria exhibited immunoreactivity. Neurocalcin may part icipate in calcium signalling and cytoskeletal arrangement in receptor cells.