Immunohistochemical study of Pacinian corpuscles using monoclonal antibodies for neurofilament protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein and S-100 protein.

The presence of neurofilament protein (NFP), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S-100 protein has been investigated in Pacinian corpuscles from cat's mesentery by means of immunohistochemical methods. The NFP-like positivity was found in the central axon of the corpuscles; the GFAP- and S-100 protein-like immunoreactivities were shown in the innermost layers of the differentiated cell of the inner core. No positive reaction was detected in the capsule. The authors discuss these findings.

[Water-soluble proteins of Pacinian corpuscles]. / Vodorastvorimye belki telets Pachini.

The composition of water soluble proteins has been investigated in different parts of Pacinian corpuscles. The Pacinian corpuscles fluid proteins have been compared with the receptor homogenate proteins and blood serum of a cat. It is supposed that proteins of the Pacinian corpuscle fluid are produced from the blood system on the whole. The composition of the Pacinian corpuscle fluid as well as a great variety of glycoproteins in it allows to suppose that the Pacinian corpuscles fluid perform a transport function.

[Characteristics of soluble proteins of Pacinian corpuscles]. / Nekotorye kharakteristiki rastvorimykh belkov telets Pachini.

The paper describes some characteristics of water- and salt-soluble proteins from tissue mechanoreceptors (Pacini's corpuscles). The proteins were divided into fractions with different molecular weights with a purpose of determining fraction wise the content of nucleotides and protein-carbohydrate complexes. Possibilities of performing metabolic functions by soluble proteins and of creating a specific tissue mechanoreceptor microenvironment are discussed.

K and Na ion content in the Pacinian corpuscle fluid and its role in the activity of receptors.

1. Potassium and sodium concentrations within the Pacinian corpuscle fluid have been investigated in adult cats. The sodium and potassium contents of samples were estimated by means of integrative ultramicroflame photometry. 2. The analytical results showed the values of the potassium concentration in the Pacinian corpuscle fluid and in the blood plasma to be 6.19 +/- 0.72 and 2.78 +/- 0.38 mequiv/1, respectively. 3. The increasing excitability of the Pacinian corpuscle in potassium-rich solution was shown by electrophysiologic methods. In potassium-free solution two phases of changing receptor excitability were observed. 4. Removal of sodium from external solution reduced the receptor potential to 10% of its original value. 5. Some mechanisms of the increase in excitability of primary tissue mechanoreceptors and secondary mechanoreceptors of the sense organs are discussed.