Ultrastructural localization of G-protein Gs in the organ of Corti.
Immunocytochemical localization of a stimulatory GTP-binding protein Gs in the organ of Corti in the inner ear was examined with a post-embedding immunogold technique, using antibodies raised against a synthetic decapeptide (RMHLRQYELL) of the C-terminus of the alpha subunit of Gs. Immunoreactivity was strong on the membranes of supporting cells in the reticular lamina, including inner and outer pillar cells and the phalangeal process of Deiters' cells. Immunolabeling also was seen on the membranes of cell bodies of those cells which surround nerve fibers, basilar fibers, outer spiral fibers and afferent nerve endings at outer hair cells. Gold particles also labeled the membrane of inner phalangeal cells and border cells. In contrast, outer and inner hair cells were not labeled. Possible roles of Gs in the organ of Corti are discussed.
Mizuta
K
K
Laboratory of Cellular Biology, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Iwasa
K H
KH
Simonds
W F
WF
Tachibana
M
M
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D018072:Hair Cells, Auditory, Outer / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009925:Organ of Corti / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins