Vomeronasal epithelial cells of human fetuses contain immunoreactivity for G proteins, Go(alpha) and Gi(alpha 2).
Two G protein subfamilies, Go(alpha) and Gi(alpha 2), were identified and localized immunohistochemically in the vomeronasal organ (VNO) of 5-month-old human fetuses. Immunoreactivity for Go(alpha) and Gi(alpha 2) was present in a subset of vomeronasal epithelial cells. Prominent immunoreactivity was observed in apical processes and their apical terminals facing onto the vomeronasal lumen. Nerve fibers associated with the VNO exhibited intense immunoreactivity for Go(alpha) and weak immunoreactivity for Gi(alpha 2). Since Go(alpha) and Gi(alpha 2) are characteristically expressed and coupled with putative pheromone receptors in rodent vomeronasal receptor neurons, the present results suggest the possibility that vomeronasal epithelial cells containing Go(alpha) and Gi(alpha 2) in human fetuses are chemosensory neurons.
Takami
S
S
Department of Anatomy, School of Health Sciences, Kyorin University, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-8508, Japan. takamis@kyorin-u.ac.jp
Yukimatsu
M
M
Matsumura
G
G
Nishiyama
F
F
D000818:Animals; D002628:Chemoreceptor Cells; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go / Q000032:analysis*; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D019147:Vomeronasal Organ / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000502:physiology
D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins