Molecular analysis of neurolysin expression in the rat and bovine ciliary body.
OBJECTIVE
This paper deals with the capability of the ciliary epithelium to express neurolysin, involved in the inactivation of numerous neuropeptides.


METHODS
Total RNAs from ciliary body (CB) were processed for RT-PCR, and the amplification products were sequenced. The whole-protein extracts of CBs were analyzed using the Western blot. The CBs were processed for neurolysin immunolocalization.


RESULTS
The RT-PCR detected the presence of neurolysin mRNA in the ciliary body. The Western blot assays demonstrated immunochemical cross-reactivity with neurolysin. The immunoreactivity to neurolysin was observed in ciliary epithelium.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that the ciliary epithelium expresses neurolysin.
Bertazolli-Filho
Rubens
R
Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogêcos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto/USP, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. rbertazo@netscape.net
Coca-Prados
Miguel
M
Haddad
Antonio
A
Laicine
Eduardo Miguel
EM
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002417:Cattle; D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D007120:Immunochemistry; D008297:Male; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; C062316:neurolysin