1993 Volume 3 Issue 2 Pages 153-157
Protein composition of the otoconia of the guinea pig was analyzed using SDS polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Adult albino guinea pigs were CO2-anesthetized and decapitated. Thetemporal bone was separated, and the otoconial membrane of the utricle and the saccule was collected in Eagle's minimum essential medium under a dissection microscope. The gelatin layer of the otoconialmembrane was solubilized by thermolysin digestion to isolate the otoconia, which was then dissolved inhydrochloric acid and analyzed with SDS-PAGE under a reduced condition. The analysis revealed that 58 kDa and 65 kDa proteins were present as major components in this tissue. After N-glycanase treatment, the 58kDa band moved to the position of 50 kDa, which indicated that the 58kDa protein had N-linkedcarbohydrate. In the discussion, we mention the possible role of organic material of the otoconia such asglycoproteins in the formation of the otoconial crystals.
