Immunohistochemical demonstration of poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) synthetase in bovine tissues

The inter- and intracellular localization of poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose)(poly(ADP-ribose] synthetase was investigated using an indirect immunofluorescence technique and a specific antibody against the enzyme purified from calf thymus. In various bovine tissues, including liver, heart, pancrease, thyroid, spleen, adrenal, and skeletal muscle, the specific immunofluorescence of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase was localized exclusively in the nucleus. Immunostaining was inhibited by preabsorption of the antibody with purified calf thymus poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase. Nuclear immunofluorescence appeared to be more prominent in the marginal area than in the central region in most nuclei. This staining pattern is similar to that of naturally occurring poly(ADP-ribose). In bovine peripheral blood the immunofluorescence of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase was detected in nuclei of lymphocytes, but not in granulocytes, in agreement with the finding that the enzymatic activity of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase was barely detectable in nuclei isolated from granulocytes.