Ultrastructural localization of prolactin-like antigenic determinants in neurosecretory cells in the brain of the honeybee (Apis mellifica).
With two different antisera to human prolactin (hPRL), the ultrastructural localization of PRL-like material in the bee brain is examined by means of the protein-A-gold method at the electron microscopical level. Labelling is found in electron-dense granules of medium size (150-200 nm in diameter) for the first time in insects. Such granules are distributed in the cytoplasm of the neurosecretory cells, their axons and their axon-terminals. The electron-dense granule is one criterion for identifying a neurosecretory cell. In the honeybee, hPRL-like material may serve as an old neurohormone with respect to its evolution.
Schmid
K P
KP
Medizinische Universitätsklinik und Poliklinik, Abteilung Innere Medizin I, Universität Ulm, Germany.
Maier
V
V
Haug
C
C
Pfeiffer
E F
EF
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000276:immunology; D001516:Bees / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000939:Epitopes / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009474:Neurons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011388:Prolactin / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D000939:Epitopes; D011388:Prolactin