Cellular and subcellular localization of glycogenin in chicken retina

We investigated the cellular and subcellular localization of glycogenin in chicken retina using a polyclonal antibody raised against chicken muscle glycogenin. The antiserum recognized both free and glycogen-bound glycogenin on dot blots. Immunocytochemistry revealed an uniform staining of all the retina layers except for the outer segments and ganglion cells layers that were very weakly stained and for the inner segments layer and a zone between the inner nuclear and inner plexiform layers that were heavily stained. Electron microscopy of neuronal cells showed immunoreactivity localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus. This is the first description of the cellular and subcellular localization of glycogenin. Our results suggest that the biosynthesis of glycogen could begin in both, the cytoplasm and nucleus of the neurone.