摘要：

This chapter describes the study of the intracellular location of proteins by immunocytochemical procedures. Although the methods given in the chapter are generally applicable, they are documented for tubulin containing structures and antibodies to tubulin. Further examples of the usefulness of these methods in studying cell structure can be found in several recent reviews. Immunofluorescence microscopy is a very sensitive method, theoretically requiring only one antigenic site on the structural protein. It offers several unique advantages for the study of cytoskeletal structures. First, only the protein of choice is visualized by use of its specific antibody. Second, if the protein forms part of a supramolecular structure, the organization of that structure throughout the cell can be demonstrated. Third, numerous cells can be observed simultaneously, and thus the unique features of the organization under different experimental conditions can be observed. Thus, immunofluorescence microscopy can bridge the gap between light microscopy and electron microscopy.

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