Elsevier

Neuroscience Letters

Volume 499, Issue 2, 20 July 2011, Pages 127-131
Neuroscience Letters

Immunolocalization of G protein alpha subunits in the olfactory system of Polypterus senegalus (Cladistia, Actinopterygii)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2011.05.052Get rights and content

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.

Highlights

G protein alpha subunits are immunodetected in the olfactory organs of the bichir. ► Gαolf-like immunoreactivity is detected in the ciliated receptor neurons. ► Gαolf-like immunoreactive glomeruli are in the ventral-posterior part of the bulb. ► Gαo-like-like immunoreactivity is detected in microvillous and crypt receptor neurons. ► Gαo-like-like immunoreactive glomeruli are in the anterior part of the olfactory bulb.

Section snippets

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Dott. Assunta “Susy” Repetto for her valuable help in the preparation of the manuscript.

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