title: Light and electron microscopical immunocytochemistry of 5'-nucleotidase in rat cerebellum.
abstract: 5'-Nucleotidase in nervous tissue has so far not been localised at the ultrastructural level using immunocytochemical techniques. We have now applied monoclonal antibodies and a polyclonal antiserum raised against this ecto-enzyme and describe the distribution of 5'-nucleotidase antigenicity in rat cerebellum both at the light and electron microscopic levels. Within all cerebellar layers, 5'-nucleotidase immunoreactivity was found on plasma membranes of glial elements, i.e. Bergmann glial cell processes crossing the molecular layer, astrocytic end-feet around blood vessels and glial cell extensions surrounding single Purkinje cells. In the granular layer, 5'-nucleotidase immunoreactivity was present on glial membranes interposed between granule cells. Neuronal cells or processes were devoid of immunoreactivity. The immunocytochemical results were compared with conventional 5'-nucleotidase histochemistry. Both techniques showed the same ecto-localisation of the enzyme and favour the view of 5'-nucleotidase being predominantly situated at glial plasma membranes.
mesh_terms: D015720:5'-Nucleotidase; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000201:enzymology*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009708:Nucleotidases / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D009708:Nucleotidases; D015720:5'-Nucleotidase