Immunocytochemical localization of calmodulin in the vestibular end-organs of the gerbil.

This study demonstrates the presence of calmodulin in the vestibular end-organs of the gerbil by use of immunocytochemistry. Using fluorescence microscopy, calmodulin was localized to the cytoplasm, cuticular plate, and stereocilia of both type I and type II hair cells in the sensory epithelia of the utricle and cristae ampullaris; no label was found in the supporting cells, the dark cells, or the nerve fibers. There was no immunoreactive distinction between the labeling of type I and type II hair cells in the striolar or extrastriolar regions. Thus, immunocytochemical labeling for calmodulin provides a good marker for hair cells in gerbil vestibular epithelium. The presence of calmodulin in the stereocilia was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy using secondary antibodies coupled to colloidal gold.