title: Immunolocalization of G protein α subunits in the olfactory system of Polypterus senegalus (Cladistia, Actinopterygii).
abstract: In vertebrates, the receptor neurons of the olfactory/vomeronasal systems express different receptor gene families and related G-protein types (in particular the G protein alpha subunit). There are no data in the literature about the molecular features of the olfactory/vomeronasal systems of Cladistia thus, in this work, the presence and distribution of different types of G protein alpha subunits were investigated in the olfactory organs of the bichir Polypterus senegalus, using immunohistochemistry. Gαo-like immunoreactivity was detected in the microvillous receptor neurons, with the cell body in the basal zone of the sensory epithelium, and in the crypt neurons. Gαo-like ir glomeruli were mainly localized in the anterior part of the olfactory bulb. Gαolf-like immunoreactivity in the sensory epithelium was detected in the ciliated receptor neurons, while the immunoreactive glomeruli in the olfactory bulb were mainly localized in the ventral-posterior part. No Gαq nor Gαi3 immunoreactivity was detected. These data are partially in agreement with studies that show the distribution of G protein alpha subunits in teleosts, allowing to hypothesize a common organization of the olfactory/vomeronasal systems in the group of Actinopterigians.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 5, I-16132 Genoa, Italy. sara.ferrando@unige.it
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrando
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallus
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gambardella
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amaroli
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vallarino
authors.forename: Grazia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tagliafierro
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D005399:Fishes; D044385:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009831:Olfactory Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018034:Olfactory Receptor Neurons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D044385:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits