Neurofilament-like immunoreactivity in the sea anemone Condylactis gigantea (Cnidaria: Anthozoa).

ABSTRACT

The neuronal cytoskeleton contains neurofilament proteins that serve as markers for nervous tissue in many species across phyla. Antiserum generated to mammalian neurofilaments was used for immunocytochemical staining of tissues in the sea anemone Condylactis gigantea (Cnidaria Anthozoa). Specific staining, visible at the light and electron microscope levels, was found in the tissues of the tentacle. Proteins were extracted from the tissues and solubilized. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting revealed two bands of MWr 156 kD and 74 kD that reacted with antiserum generated to neurofilaments. The protein bands also bound a monoclonal antibody shown to react with a highly conserved epitope in many classes of intermediate filaments. These data suggest that the neurons of this anthozoan contain neurofilament-like proteins with molecular properties similar to those of mammalian neurons.