A 19 kDa soluble protein was purified from human nasal mucus. Its N-terminal amino acid sequence appeared to be identical to that of a lipocalin synthesised both in lachrymal glands and in von Ebner's glands (VEG) of circumvallate papillae. In order to verify whether this protein was synthesised in the nasal cavity or was the result of tear contamination, we adopted an immunohistochemical approach. Polyclonal antibodies, raised against a primate VEG protein, were used on sections of human nasal mucosa obtained from surgery. The results clearly indicate that the protein is synthesised in sere-mucous glands underlying the respiratory ciliated epithelium. Although ligand-binding experiments with some odorant molecules have given negative results, we cannot exclude a role of odorant solubiliser and carrier for this protein. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.
Expression of a lipocalin in human nasal mucosa
CASTAGNA, MAURA;FATTORI, BRUNO;PELOSI, PAOLO
1997-01-01
Abstract
A 19 kDa soluble protein was purified from human nasal mucus. Its N-terminal amino acid sequence appeared to be identical to that of a lipocalin synthesised both in lachrymal glands and in von Ebner's glands (VEG) of circumvallate papillae. In order to verify whether this protein was synthesised in the nasal cavity or was the result of tear contamination, we adopted an immunohistochemical approach. Polyclonal antibodies, raised against a primate VEG protein, were used on sections of human nasal mucosa obtained from surgery. The results clearly indicate that the protein is synthesised in sere-mucous glands underlying the respiratory ciliated epithelium. Although ligand-binding experiments with some odorant molecules have given negative results, we cannot exclude a role of odorant solubiliser and carrier for this protein. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
