Secretory glycoproteins of the subcommissural organ of the dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula): evidence for the existence of precursor and processed forms

Abstract.

The subcommissural organ of the dogfish, Scyliorhinus canicula (L), has been investigated by use of antibodies and lectins applied to blots and tissue sections processed for light and electron microscopy. Antibodies have been raised against each of the bands that have previously been identified in immunoblots by the use of antisera raised against secretory glycoproteins extracted from the dogfish subcommissural organ, viz., the 600-kDa band and two gel regions including the 475 to 400-kDa and the 145-kDa bands obtained from preparative gels; they are referred to as Ab-600, Ab-475/400, and Ab-145. These antisera and the lectins concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin have been used for the staining of: (1) blots of extracts of the dogfish subcommissural organ and optic tectum; (2) tissue sections of the dogfish brain. The findings indicate that the bands of 600, 475 and 400 kDa contain compounds that should be regarded as secretory glycoproteins of the dogfish subcommissural organ. The 600-kDa and 400-kDa bands are labeled by concanavalin A; wheat germ agglutinin labels the 475-kDa band strongly and the other two weakly. Ab-600 reacts with the bands at 600, 475 and 400 kDa and stains materials stored in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and secretory granules of 200–600 nm in diameter. The 600-kDa compound is probably a precursor form. Ab-475/400 stains the same three bands revealed by Ab-600; immunocytochemically, it reacts with two types of secretory granules (200–600 and 800–1200 nm in diameter) but it does not label the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Ab-145 reveals the bands at 600, 475 and 400 kDa and a diffuse zone in the region of 145 kDa; in light-microscopic immunocytochemistry, it behaves as Ab-475/400. The 475-kDa and 400-kDa glycoproteins, and a compound of approximately 145 kDa thus probably correspond to processed forms. Ab-475/400 stains granules present in cell processes ending on local blood vessels and at the leptomeninges. Since this antiserum selectively labels secretory granules, this finding may be taken as evidence for a basal route of secretion.