Immunohistochemical localization of thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase in adult rats

Rabbit antisera against homogeneous rat liver thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase (NADPH-oxidized thioredoxin oxidoreductase, E.C. 1.6.4.5) were prepared and used for immunohistochemical analysis in adult rats. Immunoreactive thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase were widely distributed in tissues and organs, but varied a lot between cell types. Generally, epithelial cells, neuronal cells and secretory cells, both exocrine and endocrine, showed high immunoreactivity whereas mesenchymal cells with exceptions showed low activity. Surface lining epithelial and keratinizing cells showed high activity. The immunofluorescence was localized in the cytoplasm of cells with enrichments at secretory granules, at the plasma membrane or in the subplasma membrane zone. Variations in secretory cells were seen related to feeding and starvation and to metabolic activity. The distribution of thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase is compatible with function in thiol-disulfide interchange reaction related to protein synthesis, intracellular transport and different forms of secretion.