Protein A-gold complex for postembedding staining of intracellular antigens.

The use of protein A-gold complex for electron microscopic demonstration of intracellular antigenic sites in thin sections of glutaraldehyde and Epon-embedded tissue is reported. The method is carried out in two steps: thin sections are incubated with specific antisera and the antigen-antibody complexes are then visualized with protein A-gold solution. So far several exocrine pancreatic enzymes as well as polypeptide hormones from the endocrine pancreas have been revealed by this technique.