Monoclonal antibody labels both rod and cone outer segments of turtle photoreceptors.
We have studied the immunoreactivity of turtle photoreceptors to a monoclonal antibody (MAb 15-18) which binds to the external loop connecting bovine rhodopsin helices IV-V. Three chromatic types of cone photoreceptors were identified by the presence and color of oil droplets. MAb 15-18 intensely labeled the outer segments of both rods and green cones. In addition, a weak cross-reactivity was also found in the outer segments of red cones having a pale-green oil droplet, and of blue cones. Other morphological subtypes of red cones, cones with a red oil droplet and both members of double cones, showed no labeling. Our results indicate that rhodopsin and green cone opsin have a similar antigenic determinant, and that two different structural forms of red cone opsin may be present in the turtle retina.
Ohtsuka
T
T
Department of Information Physiology, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan.
Kawamata
K
K
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D003429:Cross Reactions; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000032:analysis*; D012168:Retinal Pigments / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D012243:Rhodopsin / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D012374:Rod Cell Outer Segment / Q000032:analysis*; D017299:Rod Opsins; D014426:Turtles / Q000378:metabolism*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000939:Epitopes; D005136:Eye Proteins; D012168:Retinal Pigments; D017299:Rod Opsins; D012243:Rhodopsin