Alpha-fodrin (brain spectrin) immunocytochemical localization in rat vestibular hair cells.
The presence of a spectrin-related protein in rat vestibular sensory receptors was demonstrated by immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting using affinity purified anti alpha-fodrin antibodies. Intense immunoreactivity was found in the apical pole of sensory hair cells where it seems to be concentrated in the cuticular plate. In contrast, alpha-fodrin immunoreactivity was absent from the stereocilia. We suggest that a spectrin-related protein participates in the organization of the cuticular plate of vestibular hair cells by cross-linking actin filaments as well as by anchoring the cuticular plate to the apical cell membrane.
Scarfone
E
E
Unité INSERM U254, U.S.T.L., Montpellier, France.
Demêmes
D
D
Perrin
D
D
Aunis
D
D
Sans
A
A
D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000032:analysis*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D051381:Rats; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000032:analysis*; D013049:Spectrin
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D013049:Spectrin