Immunocytochemical localization of serotonin-like immunoreactivities in the ciliated epithelium of the frog palatine mucosa.

Immunocytochemical localization of serotonin (5-HT)-like immunoreactivities was studies in the ciliated epithelium of the frog palatine mucosa by the peroxidase anti-peroxidase (PAP) method. 5-HT-like immunoreactivity was found only in the small granular vesicles (100-150 nm in diameter) and not in any mature large secretory granules or in other cell organellae in the goblet cells. No 5-HT-like immunoreactivities were found in any other epithelial and secretory cells in the palatine epithelium. It appears therefore that 5-HT-like immunoreactive granular vesicles have certain physiological effects on the ciliary movement of the ciliated cells or in the goblet cells.