Distribution and activity of calcineurin in different tissues of rat / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM: To investigate the activity and distribution of calcineurin (CaN) in different tissues of rat. METHODS: Using western blot and immunohistochemical staining methods to measure the amount and location of CnA?, isoform of catalytic subunit of CaN in different tissues of rat. CaN activity was measured by labelled substrate peptide. RESULTS: 1. Western blot showed that CnA? expression was detected in brain, heart, skeletal muscle and lung tissues. There was no detectable CnA? expression in kidney and aorta. 2. In immunohistochemical staining study, there was strong immunostaining of CnA? in brain. CnA? was located in cytoplasm of cardiac cell, macrophage and connective tissue of peribronchiolar in lung tissue, aorta adventitia, connective tissue around small vessels and outer wall of renal tube. 3. CaN activity was highest in brain, the following was skeletal muscle, myocardium and lung tissue. CaN activity was lowest in aorta and kidney tissue. CONCLUSION: CaN is widely distributed in rats and might be involved in functional regulation of various organs and tissues.