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Occurrence and immunolocalization of plectin in tissues
The Journal of Cell Biology
|September 1, 1983
Summary
Plectin, a large protein, is found in many rat cell types and tissues. This study shows plectin is crucial for forming cell junctions and anchoring filaments, suggesting a universal role in cell structure.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Plectin is a large polypeptide (300,000 daltons) found in intermediate filament cytoskeletons.
- Its presence and function in various cell types and tissues are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence and cellular localization of plectin in diverse rat tissues.
- To elucidate the potential role of plectin in cell junction formation and filament anchorage.
Main Methods:
- Extraction of intermediate filament-enriched cytoskeletons from various rat tissues.
- Immunoautoradiography and immunoprecipitation using antibodies against rat glioma C6 cell plectin.
- Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy on frozen tissue sections.
- Immunoelectron microscopy using the peroxidase technique.
Main Results:
- Plectin was detected in variable amounts in cytoskeletons from liver, heart, skeletal muscle, tongue, and urinary bladder.
- Immunofluorescence revealed plectin antigens in fibroblasts, endothelial cells, smooth, skeletal, and cardiac muscle, nerve cells, and epithelial cells.
- Immunoelectron microscopy localized plectin to desmosomes, fascia adherens, gap junctions, and myofilament attachment sites in various cell types.
Conclusions:
- Plectin is widely distributed across different rat tissues and cell types.
- Plectin's localization at junctional sites and filament attachment points suggests a universal role in cell junction formation and cytoplasmic filament anchorage.