title: Xanthine oxidoreductase is asymmetrically localised on the outer surface of human endothelial and epithelial cells in culture.
abstract: Subcellular localisation of xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) was determined by indirect immunofluorescence using confocal microscopy in human endothelial and epithelial cell lines and in primary cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. XOR was diffusely distributed throughout the cytoplasm but with higher intensity in the perinuclear region. In non-permeabilised cells, XOR was clearly seen to be asymmetrically located on the outer surfaces, showing, in many cases, a higher intensity on those faces apposed by closely neighbouring cells. Such specific distribution suggests a functional role for the enzyme in cell-cell interactions, possibly involving signalling via reactive oxygen species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rouquette
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Page
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bryant
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benboubetra
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Blake
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Whish
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tosh
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000201:enzymology; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000201:enzymology; D004727:Endothelium / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000201:enzymology*; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D014471:Umbilical Veins; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014969:Xanthine Oxidase