Abstract
The distribution of alkaline and acid ribonucleases (RNases) was investigated in bovine tissues using fluorescent antibody techniques. The immunochemical properties of the bovine RNases were also examined. Specific antibodies against acid and alkaline RNase obtained by immunizing rabbits with the corresponding antigens were conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate or tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate. Anti-alkaline RNase antibody reacted against alkaline RNase-A, and anti-acid RNase antibody reacted against two different acid RNases with no cross-reactivity between alkaline and acid RNases. Phosphate-buffered 10% formalin was the best general fixative among those examined, but some differences in staining results were observed depending upon the tissue and fixative employed. Two different patterns of distribution of alkaline RNase in pancreas and kidney were observed depending upon the fixative employed. The localization of RNases in bovine pancreas, liver, small intestine, kidney, spleen, lymph node, thymus, adrenal and heart were investigated and the physiologic roles of the RNases were discussed.