Prostacyclin synthase is localized in rat, bovine and human neuronal braincells

Using a new polyclonal antibody against prostacyclin (PGI(2))-synthase this enzyme was shown to be present in neuronal cells of bovine, rat and human brain, most abundantly in Purkinje cells of the cerebellum and cortical neu rons, but not in glial cells. Western blots confirmed the specificity of th e antibody and applied to enriched neuronal and astrocyte cultures supporte d these immunohistochemical data. It was further shown that staining with a n anti-nitrotyrosine antibody was positive for PGI(2)-synthase containing c ells. Possible physiological and/or pathophysiological functions of the enz yme in brain are discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All righ ts reserved.