Immunohistochemical detection of GTP-binding regulatory protein (Go) in the autonomic nervous system including the enteric nervous system, superior cervical ganglion and adrenal medulla.

The localization of a GTP-binding regulatory protein, Go, in the autonomic nervous system including the enteric nervous system, superior cervical ganglion, and adrenal medulla, has been immunohistochemically examined by use of affinity-purified antibody against the alpha-subunit of Go. In the small intestine, dense Go-immunoreactive products were localized on the enteric nervous system, i.e. the myenteric plexus of Auerbach and the submucosal plexus of Meissner. In the superior cervical ganglion, presynaptic terminals were strongly immunoreactive to the Go antibody. The adrenal medulla was stained with this antibody, but the adrenal cortex was not immunoreactive to this antibody. Thus, the present study strongly suggests that Go is localized in the autonomic nervous system and plays its role in transmembrane signal transmission in this system.