Summary
Radioiodinated α-bungarotoxin (α-Bgt) was used to localize α-Bgt-acetylcholine receptors in the carotid body of the rat. The gamma spectrometer analyses indicated a high uptake of [125I] α-Bgt in carotid bodies incubated in vitro (1.51 fmole per organ). Incorporation of the isotope was effectively blocked by pretreatment of carotid bodies with d-tubocurarine and unlabeled α-Bgt, but not by atropine. Light microscopic autoradiography showed a heavy labeling of some parenchymal cells. Electron-microscopic autoradiography revealed that labeling was localized along the interface between parenchymal cells, especially where their cytoplasmic processes engage in complex interdigitations. The silver grain counts on electron-microscopic autoradiographs suggest that labelings are preferentially associated with the plasma membrane of certain Type I cells. It is suggested that these Type I cells in the rat's carotid body probably are provided with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on their plasma membranes.
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This research was partly supported by a grant from the Edward G. Schleider Foundation of New Orleans.
The authors extend appreciation to Drs. Akira Arimura, Dept. of Medicine, for supplying a part of the radioisotope and to James Fisher, Dept. of Pharmacology, Tulane Medical School, for use of the gamma spectrometer. Appreciation also is extended to Mrs. Lia Pedroza for technical assistance
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Chen, Il., Mascorro, J.A. & Yates, R.D. Autoradiographic localization of α-bungarotoxin-binding sites in the carotid body of the rat. Cell Tissue Res. 219, 609–618 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00209998
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00209998