Immunocytochemical demonstration of caldesmon (a calmodulin-binding, F-actin-interacting protein) in smooth muscle fibers and absorptive epithelial cells in the small intestine of the rat.

The distribution of caldesmon (a calmodulin-binding, F-actin-interacting protein) (Sobue et al. 1982) and of actin was studied in the rat's small intestine by means of light-microscopic immunocytochemistry. Positive immunostaining for caldesmon was seen in smooth muscle cells of the intestinal wall, and of blood vessels, and in the apical portion of the absorptive epithelial cells. The immunoreactivity in goblet cells was difficult to recognize. The positive reaction to immunostaining for actin showed almost the same pattern as that for caldesmon. These results suggest that this calmodulin-binding protein may play an important role in the control of actin-myosin interaction in smooth muscle cells and in non-muscle cells.