α-ENaC in bullfrog embryo: expression in cement gland, gills and skin.
The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is involved in Na(+) responses such as Na(+) absorption and salt taste. The alpha ENaC subunit (α-ENaC) is expressed in the skin of both the adult and larval (tadpole) bullfrog. α-ENaC expression in the developing bullfrog embryo has not been previously investigated. In this study, the expression of α-ENaC at various stages (Sts.) of bullfrog embryonic development is assessed by western blot and immunofluorescence analysis. Bullfrog α-ENaC (α-fENaC) protein was detected by western blot in embryos at Sts. (Gosner/Shumway) 19, 21 and 25. Immunofluorescence studies indicate that α-fENaC was localized to the embryonic cement glands at St. 18 (muscular response), St. 19 (heart beat) and St. 21 (mouth open and/or cornea transparent), to the external gills at St. 21 and to the outermost cell-layer of the skin at St. 25 (operculum complete). The function(s) of ENaC in these embryonic structures remain to be elucidated.
Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Moroyama , Iruma-gunn, Saitama, 3500495, Japan.
Kayo
K
Fujimaki-Aoba
Kayoko
K
Tanaka
Reiko
R
Inomata
Philip J
PJ
Jensik
Makoto
M
Takada
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D053503:Epithelial Sodium Channels / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D015870:Gene Expression; D005880:Gills / Q000737:chemistry / Q000196:embryology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011892:Rana catesbeiana / Q000196:embryology*; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000196:embryology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D053503:Epithelial Sodium Channels