Immunohistochemical localization of tubulin and actin in rat prostate.

Immunohistochemical localization of the cytoskeleton components alpha tubulin and actin in the rat prostate was achieved. Formalin-fixed paraffin sections were prepared and examined by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase-complex method (ABC method). We observed that the cytoplasm of the glandular epithelial cells were stained by alpha tubulin and actin antibodies. The staining intensity for these proteins was decreased following castration, and recovered by testosterone plus 17 beta-estradiol-administration to the castrated rats. Based on these data, we suggest that alpha tubulin and actin in the rat prostate very likely participate in the secretory and metabolic activities of the glandular epithelial cells of the prostate.