Immunocytochemical demonstration of skeletal muscle type peptidylarginine deiminase in various rat tissues.

We have performed an immunocytochemical study of peptidylarginine deiminase (EC 3.5.3.15) in various rat tissues using an antiserum to the enzyme purified from rat skeletal muscle. Staining was observed in skeletal muscle fibers, glia cells of the central nervous system, serous cells of submandibular gland, demilunar cells (serous cells) of sublingual gland, uterine endometrium and myometrium, and certain cells in the lamina propria of intestinal villi. Possible involvement of the enzyme in multiple cellular processes were discussed.