ADH and phorbol ester increase immunolabeling of the toad bladder apical membrane by antibodies made to granules.

Polyclonal antibodies were raised to isolated toad bladder granules. On immunoblots, the anti-granule antiserum specifically stained components of isolated granules. Immunocytochemically, the anti-granule antiserum labeled the apical surface of the bladder. Immunolabeling increased at the apical surface when the bladder was exposed to antidiuretic hormone (ADH) serosally or phorbol ester (PMA) mucosally--conditions which stimulate apical granule exocytosis. The increase in granule epitopes on the apical surface was sixfold greater than the net increase in surface area.