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Lysosomal origin of the chloragosomes in the chloragogenous tissue of the earthwormEisenia foetida: cytochemical demonstration of acid phosphatase activity

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Summary

The cytochemical localization of the lysosomal marker enzyme acid phosphatase was studied in the chloragogenous tissue of earthworms. The Gomori lead technique and the cerium capture technique were utilized. Both techniques demonstrated the chloragosomal location of this enzyme. Only a small proportion of chloragosomes presented reactivity, which suggests that these organelles are distinctly heterogeneous. The reaction product was localized in the periphery of chloragosomes, suggesting a membrane-bound compartmentalization of acid phosphatase. In addition, degenerating mitochondria and membrane whorls were observed in some chloragosomes, indicating the possibility that these organelles perform autophagosomal functions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Electron Microscopy Unit, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Wales

    I. Cancio, I. ap Gwynn & M. P. Ireland

  2. Department of Cell Biology and Morphological Sciences, University of the Basque Country, Bilbao, Spain

    I. Cancio & M. P. Cajaraville

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  1. I. Cancio
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  2. I. ap Gwynn
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  3. M. P. Ireland
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  4. M. P. Cajaraville
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Cancio, I., ap Gwynn, I., Ireland, M.P. et al. Lysosomal origin of the chloragosomes in the chloragogenous tissue of the earthwormEisenia foetida: cytochemical demonstration of acid phosphatase activity. Histochem J 27, 591–596 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02388457

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02388457

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