Location of glandular kallikrein mRNAs in mouse submandibular gland at the cellular and ultrastructural level by hybridization histochemistry using 32P- and 3H-labeled oligodeoxyribonucleotide probes.

We investigated the location of expression of mouse glandular kallikrein genes in the submandibular gland of adult male mice at the ultrastructural level by hybridization histochemistry, using 32P- and 3H-labeled oligodeoxyribonucleotide probes. Vibratome slices were hybridized, flat-embedded, sectioned, and autoradiographs prepared. The 32P-labeled probe, which was specific for a region common to all mouse glandular kallikrein mRNAs, provided resolution at the cellular and subcellular level, demonstrating mRNA transcripts encoded by the majority of the 12 mouse glandular kallikrein genes in the perinuclear area of granular convoluted tubule cells (GCT) associated with rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). The 3H-labeled probe was specific for mRNA transcripts of mGK-6, the renal kallikrein gene, which is also expressed in salivary glands. Occasional morphologically distinct granulated cells within GCTs, as well as striated duct cells, were found to express this gene. Resolution obtained with this 3H-labeled probe showed mGK-6 mRNA in striated duct cells to be located on RER and in the nucleus and perinuclear area of the cell. There was also an apparent mitochondrial association with regions of RER that labeled with this probe. The location of hybrids was confirmed by simultaneous assessment of sites of silver grains in serial sections. There are therefore at least two types of mGK-6-expressing cells in ducts of the submandibular gland, which are distinct from those expressing other kallikrein genes. In striated duct cells, there is evidence of a close mitochondrial association with RER that contains labeled mGK-6 transcripts, which is unexplained.