Predominant localization in glial cells of free L-arginine. Immunocytochemical evidence.

Nitric oxide has been recently identified as an endogenous activator of the soluble guanylate cyclase in the brain as well as in vascular endothelial cells and macrophages. In the present study, we determined the localization of free arginine in the brain because nitric oxide was formed from the terminal guanido group of L-arginine. Anti-arginine antiserum was raised in guinea pigs by repeated injection of L-arginine covalently conjugated to guinea pig serum albumin via glutaraldehyde. Specific anti-arginine antibody was purified from the antiserum by using an affinity gel coupled with L-arginine. Arginine-like immunoreactivity in the rat brain and spinal cord was found concentrated mainly in astrocytes including Bergmann glial cells in the cerebellum and processes of astrocytes around blood vessels. The present results suggest that glial cells, particularly astrocytes, are the main locus of L-arginine, a nitric oxide precursor, in the brain.