Parvalbumin-immunoreactive proteins in the nervous system of planarians.
1. Using immunological methods, we have identified parvalbumin-like material in the triclade flatworms, Polycelis nigra, Polycelis auriculata, Crenobia alpina, Dugesia tahitiensis, and Dugesia polychroa. 2. Western immunoblot analysis of these five species revealed heat stable parvalbumin-immunoreactive proteins between 32 kD and 44 kD. 3. Proteins at 19 and 32 kD revealed intense labeling with 45Ca2+. 4. Double immunodiffusion of planarian supernatants showed complete fusion of precipitates, indicating immunological relatedness of the parvalbumin-like material among the species investigated. 5. Immunocytochemical studies exhibit parvalbumin-immunoreactive material exclusively in neurons supporting the notion of an early evolutionary appearance of these proteins in the nervous system.
Hutticher
A
A
Department of Animal-Physiology, University of Salzburg, Austria.
Kerschbaum
H H
HH
Kainz
V
V
Bito
M
M
Hermann
A
A
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009420:Nervous System / Q000737:chemistry; D010320:Parvalbumins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D010932:Planarians / Q000737:chemistry*
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D010320:Parvalbumins