Open AccessTrkA and TrkB neurotrophin receptor immunoreactivity in the teleost ( Scorpaena porcus ) endocrine pancreas
Author(s) -
Lucini Carla,
Maruccio Lucianna,
De Girolamo Paolo,
Vega Josè A.,
Castaldo Luciana
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
the anatomical record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1097-0185
pISSN - 0003-276X
DOI - 10.1002/ar.1081
Subject(s) - tropomyosin receptor kinase a , low affinity nerve growth factor receptor , neurotrophin , tropomyosin receptor kinase b , trk receptor , biology , medicine , endocrinology , pancreas , tropomyosin receptor kinase c , enteroendocrine cell , microbiology and biotechnology , receptor , endocrine system , hormone , neurotrophic factors , platelet derived growth factor receptor , growth factor , biochemistry
Abstract Mammalian‐like and specific neurotrophins, as well as their cognate tyrosine kinase Trk‐like receptors have been identified in teleosts. They are mainly distributed in neuronal tissues, but evidence suggests that some non‐neuronal tissues also express Trks. In this study we used immunohistochemistry to investigate the occurrence and cell distribution of Trks in the pancreas of teleosts ( Scorpaena porcus ). Immunoreactivity for TrkA and TrkB, but not for TrkC receptors, was found in the scorpionfish pancreas. TrkA‐like positive cells were exclusively observed within pancreatic islets, among insulin‐ and glucagon‐containing cells, but apparently did not co‐localize with these hormones. TrkB immunostaining was found in islet cells, presumably colocalized with glucagon, as well as in some cells of the exocrine portion. These data provide a morphological basis for a role of the TrkA and TrkB ligands in the endocrine pancreas of teleosts. Anat Rec 263:113–117, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.