Immunocytochemical localization of mitochondrial and cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase isozymes in the vestibular end-organs of rats.
The localization of mitochondrial (m-) and cytosolic (c-) aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) was examined in the vestibular ganglion neurons and sensory cells in the vestibular end-organs of rats by an indirect immunohistochemical method using antibodies specific for m- and c-AAT. Neurons in the vestibular ganglion were stained by both m- and c-AAT antibodies, but the vestibular sensory cells exhibited only m-AAT-like immunoreactivity and were not labeled by c-AAT. These findings suggested that aspartate is a neurotransmitter in the hair cells of the vestibular end-organs.
Tanaka
M
M
Department of Otolaryngology, Osaka University Medical School, Japan.
Takeda
N
N
Tohyama
M
M
Matsunaga
T
T
D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000032:analysis*; D003600:Cytosol / Q000201:enzymology; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000201:enzymology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000201:enzymology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D007527:Isoenzymes; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases