Differential Localization of Immunoreactive α- and β-subunits of S-100 Protein in Feline Testis

1439-0264

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

This study investigates the differential localization of the α- subunit (S100-α) and the β-subunit (S100-β) of the S-100 protein in the feline testis, using immunohistochemistry with polyclonal antibodies to bovine S-100 protein (S-100) and monoclonal antibodies to bovine S100-α and S100-β. Appreciable differences were observed in the cellular localization of the immunoreactivity of each subunit. S-100 was observed in the Sertoli cells, the epithelial cells of the transitional segment of the seminiferous tubules, Leydig cells and the peritubular cells of the seminiferous tubules, but was not observed in the epithelial cells of straight tubules and the rete testis or in the endothelial cells of blood and lymph vessels. S100-α immunoreactivity was localized in Sertoli cells, peritubular cells and the epithelial cells of the terminal segment of the tubules, whereas S100-β immunoreactivity was localized in Leydig cells. The differential localization of the α- and β-subunits of the S-100 protein in the feline testis suggests that this protein is multifunctional and be useful as an investigative tool in studying feline testis function.

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