Fig 1.
Immunolocalization of UGT2A1 in the rat OE.
Distribution of UGT2A1 immunoreactivity using an anti-UGT2A1 antibody. (A) Control section in which the primary antibody was omitted. (B)(C) UGT2A1 staining is observable throughout the epithelium, mainly at the apical portion of the OE. (D) Higher magnification showing different cell types and structures, including the sustentacular cells (SC), Bowman gland (BG) and basal cells (BC). Staining was observed in the BG, Bowman gland duct (BGD) and in the apical portion of the epithelium including SC. The scale bar is 100 μm for (A), (B), (C) and 10 μm for (D).
Fig 2.
Electron microscopy immunogold localization of UGT2A1 in the rat OE.
(A) control section in which the primary antibody was omitted and showing different cell types and structures, including the olfactory sensory neurons (OSN), sustentacular cell (SC), olfactory knob (OK) and olfactory cilia (OC). (B)(C)(D)(E)(F) UGT2A1 was localized in the OK particularly to the OC plasma membrane (black arrows). (B)(C)(D)UGT2A1 was also observed in the supranuclear portion of the SC (white arrows).
Fig 3.
Beta-glucuronidase treatment enhances OM response to eugenol but not to amyl acetate.
(A) Typical EOG responses to amyl acetate and eugenol before and after treatment with mucosal solution (Vehicle) alone or containing β-glucuronidase (10 mg/mL). (B) Effect of β-glucuronidase treatment on amplitude of EOG signals recorded from rat olfactory mucosa (Vehicle: n = 18 olfactory mucosa; β-glucuronidase: n = 19 olfactory mucosa, from 19 rats). Mean ± SEM values are expressed as fold change from baseline responses (prior to treatment). Bars with the same letters are not significantly different (2-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons, P < 0.01).