Immunohistochemical localization of D-aspartate in islets of Langerhans.
D-aspartate is a putative modulator of neuroendocrine functions, and is present in various neuroendocrine cells as well as the central nervous system. Here we show that the islet of Langerhans is a D-aspartate-containing endocrine organ. Immunohistochemical analysis with specific antibodies against D-aspartate indicated that D-aspartate is present in all islet cells, and predominantly present in alpha cells and a subpopulation of F-cells. Since these cells are glutamatergic in nature, it is possible that D-aspartate is involved in the glutamate signaling pathways in the islets.
Hiasa
Miki
M
Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.
Moriyama
Yoshinori
Y
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D026603:D-Aspartic Acid / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D050416:Glucagon-Secreting Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D050418:Pancreatic Polypeptide-Secreting Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015398:Signal Transduction
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D026603:D-Aspartic Acid