Localization of retinaldehyde dehydrogenases and retinoid binding proteins to sustentacular cells, glia, Bowman's gland cells, and stroma: potential sites of retinoic acid synthesis in the postnatal rat olfactory organ.
Work from our laboratory suggests that retinoic acid (RA) influences neuron development in the postnatal olfactory epithelium (OE). The studies reported here were carried out to identify and localize retinaldehyde dehydrogenase (RALDH) expression in postnatal rat OE to gain a better understanding of potential in vivo RA synthesis sites in this continuously regenerating tissue. RALDH 1, 2, and 3 mRNAs were detected in postnatal rat olfactory tissue by RT-PCR analysis, but RALDH 1 and 2 transcripts were predominant. RALDH 1 immunoreactivity was localized to sustentacular cells in the OE and to Bowman's gland cells, and GFAP(+)/p75(-) olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) in the underlying lamina propria (LP). RALDH 2 did not colocalize with RALDH 1, but appeared to be expressed in GFAP(-)/RALDH 1(-) OECs as well as in unidentified structures in the LP. Cellular RA binding protein (CRABP II) colocalized with RALDH 1. Cellular retinol/retinaldehyde binding protein (CRBP I) was localized to RALDH 1(+) sites in the OE and LP and RALDH 2(+) sites, primarily surrounding nerve fiber bundles in the LP. Vitamin A deficiency altered RALDH 1, but not RALDH 2 protein expression. The isozymes and binding proteins exhibited random variability in levels and areas of expression both within and between animals. These findings support the hypothesis that RA is synthesized in the postnatal OE (catalyzed by RALDH 1) and underlying LP (differentially catalyzed by RALDH 1 and RALDH 2) at sites that could influence the development, maturation, targeting, and/or turnover of olfactory receptor neurons throughout the olfactory organ.
Department of Biological Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee 37209, USA. massonbatres@tnstate.edu
Mary Ann
MA
Asson-Batres
W Bradford
WB
Smith
D000445:Aldehyde Oxidoreductases / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D015152:Blotting, Northern / Q000379:methods; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000379:methods; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel / Q000379:methods; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism*; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D009831:Olfactory Mucosa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D020800:Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D054840:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Cellular; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods
D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020800:Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D054840:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Cellular; C082928:retinoic acid binding protein II, cellular; D000445:Aldehyde Oxidoreductases