Immunocytochemical comparison of posttranslationally modified forms of tubulin in the vestibular end-organs of the gerbil: tyrosinated, acetylated and polyglutamylated tubulin.

Specific antibodies against alpha-tubulin, acetylated alpha-tubulin, tyrosinated alpha-tubulin and polyglutamylated alpha- and beta-tubulin were used to compare the distribution of posttranslationally modified tubulin in the vestibular end-organs of the gerbil. Antibodies to acetylated tubulin labeled a dense network of microtubules in the hair cells and bundles of microtubule in the supporting cells. Nerve fibers within and below the epithelium were weakly labeled. This localization paralleled that seen with antibodies to alpha-tubulin which labeled all microtubules present in the cells. Antibodies to tyrosinated tubulin labeled networks and bundles of microtubules in both hair cells and supporting cells and in addition gave intense, diffuse labeling in the cytoplasm of both cell types. It also labeled the nerve fibers. Antibodies to polyglutamylated tubulin were localized mainly in nerve fibers, and in the calyces the labeled microtubules were found running circumferentially around the type I sensory hair cells. Thus, tyrosinated tubulin was found in the fine networks of microtubules in both the sensory and supporting cells. Acetylated tubulin was found in the dense networks and bundles of microtubules in the sensory and supporting cells, but did not colocalize with polyglutamylated tubulin, which was found predominantly in the nerve fibers. The labeling patterns for the tyrosinated tubulin and posttranslationally modified tubulins in the sensory and supporting cells of the vestibular end organs differ from that seen in the organ of Corti and may reflect differences in the stability of the microtubules and the mechanical properties of the sensory epithelium.