Expression of a Lipocalin in Human Nasal Mucosa

A 19 kDa soluble protein was purified from human nasal mucus. Its N-terminal amino-acid sequence appeared to be identical to that of a lipocalin synthesised both in lachrymal glands and in von Ebner's glands (VEG) of circumvallate papillae. In order to verify whether this protein was synthesise...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 1997-12, Vol.118 (4), p.819-824
Main Authors: Scalfari, Francesco, Castagna, Maura, Fattori, Bruno, Andreini, Isabella, Maremmani, Carlo, Pelosi, Paolo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
human nasal mucus
immunohistochemistry
lipocalins
odorant-binding proteins
Olfaction
perireceptor events
tear lipocalin
VEG protein
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Summary:A 19 kDa soluble protein was purified from human nasal mucus. Its N-terminal amino-acid sequence appeared to be identical to that of a lipocalin synthesised both in lachrymal glands and in von Ebner's glands (VEG) of circumvallate papillae. In order to verify whether this protein was synthesised in the nasal cavity or was the result of tear contamination, we adopted an immunohistochemical approach. Polyclonal antibodies, raised against a primate VEG protein, were used on sections of human nasal mucosa obtained from surgery. The results clearly indicate that the protein is synthesised in sero-mucous glands underlying the respiratory ciliated epithelium. Although ligand-binding experiments with some odorant molecules have given negative results, we cannot exclude a role of odorant solubiliser and carrier for this protein.
ISSN:1096-4959
1879-1107
DOI:10.1016/S0305-0491(97)00218-6