Tj. Meads et Ae. Wild, APICAL EXPRESSION OF AN ANTIGEN COMMON TO RABBIT YOLK-SAC ENDODERM AND KIDNEY PROXIMAL TUBULE EPITHELIUM, Journal of reproductive immunology, 23(3), 1993, pp. 247-264
The tissue distribution, molecular weight, and biochemical nature of a
n antigen detected by a mouse monoclonal antibody designated 283D3 and
raised against rabbit visceral yolk sac endodermal cells, has been in
vestigated. The antigen is located on the luminal side of apical tubul
es and large sub-apical vesicles in rabbit yolk sac endoderm and proxi
mal kidney tubule epithelial cells. It is expressed in a similar polar
ised fashion in epithelial cells lining the epididymis. Western blotti
ng showed the antigen to comprise proteins of molecular weight 330-380
kDa. The antigen has been affinity purified from yolk sac and kidney
and is predominantly protein in nature with a small percentage of N-li
nked carbohydrate. In terms of tissue distribution and molecular weigh
t it has close similarity to Heymann nephritis antigen but differs in
not being confined to coated pits. Its function is not known, but the
association with endocytic elements implies a possible role in non-spe
cific protein absorption.