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The localization of enzymes in tissue sections by immuno-histochemistry. Conventional antibody and mixed aggregation techniques

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Methods for detecting enzymes in tissue sections by antibody techniques are reviewed. In all these techniques, sections are first incubated with antibody. The bound antibody is visualized in one of four ways: identifying a label such as fluorescein linked to the antibody; using a labelled anti-antibody; employing complement and labelled anti-complement; or making use of a mixed aggregation immuno-cytochemical method.

The last technique consists of three steps. A section is first incubated with antiserum, and secondly with the soluble enzyme under investigation. Thirdly the desired enzyme is ‘stained’ using a conventional cytochemical method. The method is specific since, for example, the soluble enzyme used in the second step can bind only to antigenic determinants which are identical to those of the enzyme localized in the tissue. Thus purification of antigen and antibody sources is simplified, and chemical modifications of the antigen and antibody are avoided.

Antibody also acts as a selective fixative for tissue antigen. It will inhibit the catalytic activity of its antigen and, in this way, permit the enzyme activity arising after the reaction of tissue enzyme-antibody complex with soluble enzyme to be amplified selectively. The mixed aggregation immuno-cytochemical technique has been used successfully with membrane-bound enzymes and cytoplasmic enzymes and for the demonstration of catalytically inactive enzyme precursors.

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Wachsmuth, E.D. The localization of enzymes in tissue sections by immuno-histochemistry. Conventional antibody and mixed aggregation techniques. Histochem J 8, 253–270 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01003815

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