A, CPI-17 protein expression in rabbit, chicken and pigeon aortas. Top, a representative immunoblot probed using rabbit (Rb) anti-CPI-17 IgG antibody; middle, using chicken (Ch) anti-CPI-17 IgY; and bottom, using rabbit anti-CPI-17-peptide(35–46) IgG. Equal amounts of total protein (20 μg per lane) were added. The experiments were repeated three time using different animals of each species. B, CPI-17 mRNA expression. RT-PCR was performed from aortas of rabbit, chicken and pigeon. The mouse brain RNA was used as control. C, expression of other contractile and signalling proteins in Rb and Ch mesenteric artery (MA), chicken gizzard (Gz) and small intestine (SI). Per lane, 0.5 μg of total protein for actin and CaP, 2 μg for CaD and MLC20, and 20 μg for all others were applied. The experiments were repeated 4–6 times.