Immunohistochemical localization of 3': 5'-cyclic AMP and 3': 5'-cyclic GMP in rat liver, intestine, and testis.

Cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP have been localized in rat liver, small intestine, and testis by a fluorescent immunocytochemical procedure. In liver, cyclic AMP is distributed along sinusoids predominantly, and increased fluorescence is seen sinusoidal areas after glucagon administration. Cyclic GMP is located in nuclear elements and on the plasma membranes of hepatocytes. In jejunum, cyclic AMP is found predominantly at the basal and lateral sides of brush border cells and in the lamina propria, while cyclic GMP is located to the brush border membrane, smooth muscle, and nuclear elements. In testis, cyclic AMP is found in cytoplasm of cells at the perimeter of the seminiferrous tubules and in interstitial cells, while cyclic AMP is visualized on the plasma membrane of the cells lining the tubules. Cyclic GMP is also seen on chromosomes of premeiotic spermatocytes and in sperm. These data provide histological evidence implicating diverse roles for the nucleotides in these tissues. The nuclear localization of cyclic GMP in all of these tissues suggests a role for the nucleotide in nucleus-directed events.