The localization of the beta-subtype of protein kinase C (PKC-beta) in rat sympathetic neurons.
The localization of PKC-beta was studied in rat sympathetic neurons using a polyclonal antibody specific for the beta 1- and beta 2-subspecies. The tissues studied included the superior cervical (SCG) and hypogastric (HGG) ganglia and the target tissues of the SCG and HGG neurons: the submandibular gland, iris, prostate and vas deferens. PKC-beta-LI was found in nerve fibers in both ganglia. A proportion of the fibers in the SCG disappeared after decentralization, suggesting that the fibers were of both pre- and postganglionic origin. The somata of the HGG and SCG neurons expressed varying amounts of PKC-beta-LI, the majority of SCG neurons being labelled only after colchicine treatment. In all target tissues there were PKC-beta-immunoreactive nerve fibers in bundles, but the most peripheral branches of the fibers were negatively labelled. The results show that PKC-beta-LI is widely present in sympathetic postganglionic neurons with mainly quantitative differences. The lack of PKC-beta in the most peripheral branches of nerve fibers might be a general feature of sympathetic postganglionic neurons, suggesting that the participation of PKC-beta in neurotransmitter release and in other functions in nerve terminals in sympathetic adrenergic neurons is unlikely.
Roivainen
R
R
Department of Public Health, University of Tampere, Finland.
Iadarola
M
M
Hervonen
A
A
Koistinaho
J
J
D000818:Animals; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007498:Iris / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology*; D011467:Prostate / Q000201:enzymology; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000201:enzymology; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000201:enzymology
D011493:Protein Kinase C