Expression of a Lipocalin in Human Nasal Mucosa |
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| Authors: | Francesco Scalfari Maura Castagna Bruno Fattori Isabella Andreini Carlo Maremmani Paolo Pelosi |
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| Institution: | aIstituto di Antropologia, University of Firenze, Italy;bDipartimento di Chirurgia, University of Pisa, Italy;cIstituto di Otorinolaringoiatria, University of Pisa, Italy;dIstituto di Industrie Agrarie, University of Pisa, Italy;eUnitá Operativa di Neurologia, U.S.L. 1, Carrara, Italy |
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| Abstract: | 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. |
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| Keywords: | Olfaction perireceptor events human nasal mucus odorant-binding proteins lipocalins tear lipocalin VEG protein immunohistochemistry |
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