Specific visualization of the distribution of the calcium dependent regulatory protein of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (modulator protein) in tissue culture cells by immunofluorescence microscopy: mitosis and intercellular bridge.

Monospecific antibodies against the homogeneous Ca++ dependent regulatory protein of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (CDR protein) from bovine brain were used in indirect immunofluorescence microscopy to visualize the cytoplasmic organization of this key regulatory protein in growing tissue culture cells. Although cells during interphase reveal only a weak general cytoplasmic fluorescence, a dramatic reorganization of CDR protein occurs with the onset of mitosis. Throughout the different mitotic stages CDR protein is strongly concentrated in the two polar parts of each half spindle. After completion of telophase (CDR protein appears at both cytoplasmic ends of the intercellular bridge which still connects the two daughter cells. Parallel use of monospecific antibodies against CDR protein and tubulin emphasizes the spatial restriction in the localization of CDR protein during mitosis and early G1 phase of the cell cycle.