METALLOTHIONEIN-1 AND METALLOTHIONEIN-2 ARE EXPRESSED IN THE OLFACTORY MUCOSA OF MICE IN UNTREATED ANIMALS AND DURING THE REGENERATION OF THE EPITHELIAL LAYER

We have examined the expression of the MT1 and MT2 isoforms of metallo thionein in the mouse olfactory mucosa. In untreated mice, metallothio nein was strongly expressed in supporting cells, acinar cells of the B owman's glands, and olfactory neurons. Expression was however restrict ed to a subset of cells within each type, and to zones within the olfa ctory system. Irrigation with ZnSO4 solution caused exfoliation of the olfactory epithelium and during the resultant regeneration, metalloth ionein immunoreactivity was associated with the proliferating basal ce lls. The ability to express MTs 1 and 2 did not appear to be obligator y for the early stages of regeneration since mice which do not express these isoforms responded similarly to wild type mice. Strong nuclear expression of metallothionein was noted in the untreated olfactory cha mber following unilateral irrigation. (C) 1997 Academic Press.