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A novel monoclonal antibody that recognizes apical membrane of frog taste cells
N Higashi1, K Tsujii, J Sunamoto
1Kao Institute for Fundamental Research, Kao Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. higashi@mol.f.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Insights
Researchers developed a new monoclonal antibody that specifically targets and stains the apical surface of frog taste cells. This antibody provides a precise tool for studying taste cell structure and function in bullfrogs.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Sensory Biology
Background:
- Taste discs are complex sensory organs in amphibians.
- Specific cell surface markers are needed to identify and study taste cells within these organs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To generate a monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes and labels frog taste cells.
- To characterize the distribution and localization of the target antigen on taste cells.
Main Methods:
- Direct immunization of bullfrog taste discs with hybridoma technology.
- Immunohistochemical staining of taste discs and dispersed taste cells.
- Characterization of antibody binding specificity.
Main Results:
- A hybridoma clone (1N1) producing a monoclonal antibody was established.
- The antibody specifically stained the apical portion of bullfrog taste cells within taste discs.
- Staining was observed on approximately 93% of tested taste discs, indicating widespread antigen distribution.
- The antibody did not stain surrounding epithelial cells or mucus cells.
Conclusions:
- The monoclonal antibody 1N1 is a valuable tool for identifying frog taste cells.
- The target antigen is localized to the apical membrane of taste cells.
- This antibody facilitates further research into the structure and function of amphibian taste systems.
Abstract:
We established a hybridoma clone 1N1 that produced a monoclonal antibody to stain the apical portion of frog taste cells, by directly immunizing taste discs of the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) without any dispersion procedure of the taste organ. The antibody stained discrete regions on the surface of the taste discs, but did not stain the epithelium sheet of the tongue devoid of taste discs. The antibody stained approximately 93% of the taste discs tested (172/184) derived from nine frogs, showing that distribution of the antigen was common to most of the taste discs. The following observations strongly suggested that the antibody recognized a certain antigen on the apical membrane of the taste cells. (i) The antibody selectively stained cross points of intermucus areas on the surface of the taste disc. Neither the mucus cells nor the wing cells that mainly cover the surface were stained with the antibody. (ii) Dispersed taste cells were prepared by calcium ion chelating and subsequently by collagenase treatment to avoid digestion of the antigen. The antibody stained the apical end of the taste cells.