LOCALIZATION OF CU ZN-SOD AND MN-SOD IN THE RAT COCHLEA/

Distributions of the copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) and the manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) in the rat cochlea were st udied by immunohistochemistry with specific polyclonal antibodies to M n-SOD and Cu/Zn-SOD. Coexpression of Mn-SOD and Cu/Zn-SOD was observed in the cochlear tissues with differing immunoactivity intensities. Th e presence of Cu/Zn- and Mn-SOD implies the existence of a defense sys tem against free oxygen radical (FOR) injury in cochlear tissues.