Stanniocalcin-like immunoreactivity in the corpuscles of Stannius of the bowfin Amia calva L.

Summary We used an antiserum against salmon stanniocalcin in an immunohistochemical, immunocytochemical, and Western blot analysis of bowfin (Amia calva) corpuscles of stannius. The bowfin is one of two extant holostean species with ancient ancestral links to modern-day bony fishes. The corpuscles of Stannius (white corpuscles) of the bowfin were scattered throughout much of the kidney among the adrenocortical homolog (yellow corpuscles) but could be distinguished from the adrenocortical homolog by their positive staining with both the periodic acid-Schiff reaction and a salmon stanniocalcin antiserum. Immunoreactivity was confined to cytoplamic granules and was absent when the antiserum was blocked with salmon stanniocalcin or with a crude extract of bowfin corpuscles of Stannius. When bowfin corpuscle-of-Stannius extracts were subjected to sodium dodecyl sulphate electrophoresis and Western blot analysis, two closely spaced bands were evident (43–45 kDa). Staining of both bands was abolished by pre-absorption of the antiserum with salmon stanniocalcin. In comparison to salmon stanniocalcin, the reputed bowfin hormone migrated faster in gels, suggesting a smaller apparent size. The purification of bowfin stanniocalcin should yield important new information regarding the evolution of this unique calcium-regulating hormone.