Vacuolar-type H+-ATPase distribution in unstimulated and acetylcholine-activated isolated human eccrine sweat glands

The presence and cellular distribution of subunits of the V-1 sector of the vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) was investigated in isolated human eccrine sweat glands. In every instance, V-ATPase was located in the cytoplasm and apical membranes of the luminal cells of the reabsorptive duct segment. In the secretory coil, both diffuse and perinuclear staining was demonstrated in the secretory cells, with additional expression at the apical and basolateral membranes and on the intercellular canaliculi. There was no detectable difference in V-ATPase expression as a result of prior application of 100 mu M acetylcholine.