Colocalization of stomatin (band 7.2b) and actin microfilaments in UAC epithelial cells

Cytolocalization of stomatin, an integral membrane protein also called erythrocyte band 7.2b, was investigated in a human epithelial cell line in which the expression of this protein is up-regulated after treatment with interleukin-6 and dexamethasone. A monoclonal antibody against stomatin was used to perform immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. The data show that stomatin concentrates preferentially in small plasma membrane protrusions. It is also found in abundance in a juxtanuclear structure possibly derived from the Golgi apparatus. Fluorescent double staining using the anti-stomatin antibody and the actin binding drug phalloidin shows a significant degree of colocalization of stomatin and cortical actin microfilaments. This association remains after actin filament disruption disruption by cytochalasin D treatment indicating a strong connection between stomatin and the membrane-associated cytoskeleton.