title: The structural organization and immunohistochemistry of G-protein alpha subunits in the olfactory system of the air-breathing mudskipper, Periophthalmus barbarus (Linnaeus, 1766) (Gobiidae, Oxudercinae).
abstract: The study provides the first comprehensive information on the immunohistochemistry and ultrastructure of the olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in the mudskipper, Periophthalmus barbarus. The olfactory sensory epithelium is in the form of islets which cover part of the olfactory canal running from the upper lip toward the eye, where large single accessory nasal sacs occur. Within the islets, microvillous, ciliated and crypt ORNs were observed as well as giant cells and sparse non-sensory ciliated cells. Around the islets and in the walls of accessory nasal sacs, there are epidermal cells with microridges typical of fish epidermis. Close to the entrance to the accessory nasal sac, in the non-sensory epithelium of the nasal cavity and the skin epithelium covering the olfactory organ, areas of solitary chemosensory cells (SCCs) are reported for the first time. The distribution of the various ORN cell types is assessed through the immunohistochemistry against olfactory receptor coupled G-proteins. The ciliated ORNs were labeled by G alpha olf/s antibody. The ORNs with microvilli and crypt cells were G alpha i-3 immunoreactive.
authors.affiliation: Department of Comparative Anatomy, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Krakow, Poland. Electronic address: michalkuciel@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuciel
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Ambiente, della Sicurezza, del Territorio, degli Alimenti e della Salute (S.A.S.T.A.S.), University of Messina, Viale Stagno d'Alcontres 31, I-98166 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Eugenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rita Lauriano
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Ambiente, della Sicurezza, del Territorio, degli Alimenti e della Salute (S.A.S.T.A.S.), University of Messina, Viale Stagno d'Alcontres 31, I-98166 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppa
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Silvestri
authors.affiliation: Department of Comparative Anatomy, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Krystyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zuwała
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Ambiente, della Sicurezza, del Territorio, degli Alimenti e della Salute (S.A.S.T.A.S.), University of Messina, Viale Stagno d'Alcontres 31, I-98166 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pergolizzi
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Ambiente, della Sicurezza, del Territorio, degli Alimenti e della Salute (S.A.S.T.A.S.), University of Messina, Viale Stagno d'Alcontres 31, I-98166 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zaccone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D029941:Fish Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005399:Fishes / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D044385:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008871:Microvilli / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009831:Olfactory Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D029941:Fish Proteins; D044385:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits
keywords: G-protein alpha subunits; Immunohistochemistry; Morphology; Mudskipper; Olfactory organ; Periophthalmus