Immunohistochemistry of a cytoplasmic dynein (MAP 1C)-like molecule in rodent and human brain tissue: an example of molecular mimicry between cytoplasmic dynein and influenza A virus

Abstract

Immunohistochemistry with an antibody to influenza A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2) virus was performed using normal mouse, rat and human brain tissues. Dot-like or filamentous structures in the neuronal cytoplasm were clearly stained. Axons were also stained, but weakly. Lewy bodies in Parkinson’s disease substantia nigra were also positive. Immunoscreening of the antibody using mouse brain cDNA revealed that this antibody recognized the heavy chain of cytoplasmic dynein. Immunoblot analysis also showed that the reactive molecule was the same size as cytoplasmic dynein (microtubule-associated protein 1C). This is an example of molecular mimicry between cytoplasmic dynein and influenza A virus, and the antibody appears to be useful for the localization on cytoplasmic dynein in the central nervous system.