lmmunocytochemical Methods for Investigating Receptor Localization

Immunocytochemical procedures offer a unique means to visualize receptors at cellular and subcellular resolution. This approach has been enhanced by the availability of immunochemical probes to simultaneously visualize cellular ultrastructure, such as intracellular organelles, cytoskeleton, proteins involved in signal transduction, and markers of cellular differentiation. The application of immunocytochemical methods, in conjunction with experimental manipulation of cellular function, has provided powerful Insights not only into the structural aspects of receptor localization and topology, but also into dynamic processes of receptor biology, including coupling to effecters, intracellular trafficking, ontogenesls, and disease.