Localisation of 5'-nucleotidase in a rat liver cell line using a monoclonal antibody and indirect immunofluorescent labelling

Abstract

A new method of labelling anti-IgG with rhodamine while protecting the IgG binding site is described. Indirect immunofluorescence of the ectoenzyme 5'-nucleotidase using a monoclonal antibody shows that it has a punctate distribution over the whole cell surface of a cultured rat liver cell line. The density of fluorescent spots representing the surface localisation of 5'-nucleotidase and of clathrin-coated pits was analysed by a computerised counting technique. The cell surface localisation of 5'-nucleotidase differs from clathrin-coated pits and microvilli. 5'-Nucleotidase within the cell is not uniquely associated with any clearly defined organelle.