Ultrastructural immunocytochemical localization of neuron-specific enolase in parafollicular cells of the rat thyroid.
Using pre- and post-embedding procedures, neuron-specific enolase and calcitonin were localized in rat thyroid parafollicular cells by light and electron microscopy. Peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP), biotin-avidin (ABC) and protein A--colloidal gold techniques were used. In paraffin sections neuron-specific enolase was demonstrated in all calcitonin-storing parafollicular cells in rats aging 1 to 180 days. The post-embedding procedure failed to detect neuron-specific enolase in ultrathin sections, but the enzyme could be demonstrated using a preembedding procedure. Neuron-specific enolase was localized exclusively within the cytosol of parafollicular cells, while calcitonin was localized within secretory granules applying either post- or pre-embedding incubation techniques.
D000818:Animals; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000378:metabolism; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000378:metabolism; D003600:Cytosol / Q000201:enzymology; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007120:Immunochemistry; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
D002116:Calcitonin; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase