The selective counterstaining of the plasma membrane improves the immunoelectron microscopic detection of neu protein at the cell border.
The distribution of the neu protein has been studied with two monoclonal antibodies in a post-embedding immunogold method on glycolmethacrylate sections. Labeling of the cytoplasm was due to binding to mitochondrial cristae. The detection of label at the plasma membrane was optimized by selectively staining the plasma membrane with phosphotungstic acid at low pH. Strong labeling was observed in breast carcinoma cells and faint labeling in other tissues. Brush borders were also found to be reactive. neu protein can thus be localized to baso-lateral and apical cell membranes. An important homology exists with a mitochondrial protein.
Quatacker
J
J
N. Goormaghtigh Instituut voor Pathologische Anatomie, Rijksuniversiteit, Gent.
De Potter
C
C
Van Daele
S
S
Roels
H
H
D001940:Breast / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007422:Intestines / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D010772:Phosphotungstic Acid; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D013270:Stomach / Q000166:cytology
D010772:Phosphotungstic Acid; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases