Xanthine oxidoreductase is asymmetrically localised on the outer surface of human endothelial and epithelial cells in culture

• Published in: FEBS letters Vol. 426; no. 3; pp. 397 - 401
• Main Authors: Rouquette, Magali, Page, Susanna, Bryant, Richard, Benboubetra, Mustapha, Stevens, Cliff R, Blake, David R, Whish, William D, Harrison, Roger, Tosh, David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier B.V 24.04.1998
• Subjects: Cell Line; Cell Membrane - enzymology; Cytoplasm - enzymology; DIC, differential interference contrast; Endothelial; Endothelium - cytology; Endothelium - enzymology; Endothelium, Vascular - cytology; Endothelium, Vascular - enzymology; Epithelial; Epithelial Cells - enzymology; Extracellular Space - enzymology; FCS, foetal calf serum; Human; Humans; HUVEC, human umbilical vein endothelial cell; Immunolocalization; Umbilical Veins; Xanthine Oxidase - metabolism; Xanthine oxidoreductase; XOR, xanthine oxidoreductase; Immunolocalization; Human; FCS, foetal calf serum; XOR, xanthine oxidoreductase; Xanthine oxidoreductase; DIC, differential interference contrast; Endothelial; HUVEC, human umbilical vein endothelial cell; Epithelial
• ISSN: 0014-5793; 1873-3468
• DOI: 10.1016/S0014-5793(98)00385-8

Subcellular localisation of xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) was determined by indirect immunofluorescence using confocal microscopy in human endothelial and epithelial cell lines and in primary cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. XOR was diffusely distributed throughout the cytoplasm but with higher intensity in the perinuclear region. In non-permeabilised cells, XOR was clearly seen to be asymmetrically located on the outer surfaces, showing, in many cases, a higher intensity on those faces apposed by closely neighbouring cells. Such specific distribution suggests a functional role for the enzyme in cell-cell interactions, possibly involving signalling via reactive oxygen species