Work

Immunohistochemical distribution of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) in the rat carotid body

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The sensitivity of the carotid body to hypoxic stimuli is enhanced by chronic intermittent hypoxia. Since extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) may be involved in hypoxic responses and in sensory nerve facilitation induced by intermittent hypoxic stimuli, we examined the distribution of ERK1/2 in male Wistar rat carotid body. The results of RT-PCR and immunoblotting indicated that ERK1 and ERK2 were both expressed in the carotid body at the mRNA and protein levels. Immunoblotting also detected intense bands for phosphorylated ERK1 in the carotid body. Immunoreactivity for ERK1/2 was ubiquitously distributed in chemoreceptor cell clusters. Immunoreactivity for phosphorylated ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) was intense in some vesicular nucleotide transporter-immunoreactive chemoreceptor cells and in most P2X 2 purinoceptor-immunoreactive sensory nerve endings. In addition, pERK1/2 localization to the nuclei of chemoreceptor cells and sustentacular cells was observed. Immunoreactivity for pERK1/2 was intense in the vesicular glutamate transporter 2-immunoreactive areas of sensory nerve endings. These results suggest that ERK1/2 regulate hypoxic responses and sensitivity through the phosphorylation of their substrates in chemoreceptor cells and sensory nerve endings. ERK1/2 may be involved in transmission and sensory nerve facilitation in chemoreceptor cells and sensory nerve endings. • According to the results of immunoblotting, both ERK1 and ERK2 are expressed, but phosphorylated ERK1 appears to be abundant in the rat carotid body. • ERK1/2 is ubiquitously expressed in chemoreceptor cell clusters (chemoreceptor cells, sensory nerve endings, and sustentacular cells) in the rat carotid body. • The phosphorylated form of ERK1/2 is particularly immunolocalized in sensory nerve endings, and its distribution in the cytoplasm and nucleus is observed in some chemoreceptor cells and sustentacular cells.

Source: Tissue and Cell

DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2025.103247

Authors: Hiroki Saito, Takuya Yokoyama, Nobuaki Nakamuta, Yoshio Yamamoto

Institution: Iwate University

Language: English

Topic: Neuroscience of respiration and sleep

Subfield: Endocrine and Autonomic Systems

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,680