Cloning and localization of Rab3 isoforms in bovine, rat, and human parathyroid glands

Rab3 proteins are small GTP-binding proteins known to play a role in regulated exocytosis processes. This study examines the expression of Rab3 mRNA and protein in bovine, rat and human parathyroid glands. mRNAs of several Rab3 isoforms were detected in bovine (Rab3A, Rab3B and Rab3C) and rat (Rab3A, Rab3B and Rab3D) parathyroid glands by RT-PCR and sequencing. Rab3A protein was detected in the cytosolic extract from bovine parathyroid gland by Western blotting using a monoclonal antibody for Rab3A. Rab3A protein was localized to parathyroid hormone-containing chief cells by immunohistochemical staining. Subcellular localization of Rab3A protein by immunogold electron microscopy revealed that the majority of Rab3A protein was not associated with dense-core vesicles, but localized in the cytosol of the chief cells. Altogether, our results demonstrate that Rab3 isoforms are expressed in parathyroid chief cells, suggesting that they may play a role in regulated exocytosis in these cells.