The immunocytochemical localization of a major lysosomal membrane sialoglycoprotein with a molecular mass of 107kDa, which was designated as LGP107, was investigated in osteoblast lineage cells involved in osteoclastic bone resorption using specific polyclonal antibody against LGP107. Osteoclastic bone resorption was induced by transplantation of parathyroid glands. In control experiments, no immunoreaction product for LGP107 was recognized in osteoblasts and osteocytes. Strong immunoreaction products for LGP107 occurred on the plasma membranes in the osteoblasts and osteocytes prior to the appearance of osteoclasts one day after transplantation of the parathyroid glands. Furthermore, two days after induction, strong diaminobenzidine reactions were also observed on the plasma membranes in the osteoblastic cells adjacent to the active osteoclasts.
These data suggest that LGP107 in osteoblastic cells and osteocytes may play an important role in cellrecognition and/or cell-adhesion, and that LGP107 may be involved in osteoblastic degradation of the osteoid as well as exposure of the bone surface.