Summary
Histochemical studies using cryostat sections of fixed rodent fetal and newborn tissues indicated that acid phosphatase (APase) staining of the Golgi apparatus (GA) of cells secreting matrix for hard tissue formation was a general phenomenon. The enzyme was chiefly observed in the GA of tall secretory ameloblasts involved in enamel formation and in the GA of odontoblasts forming dentine; lysosome-like granules reactive for this enzyme were also observed in these cells. Activity was also intense in the GA and lysosomes of osteoblasts involved in intramembranous and endochondral bone formation.
High levels of APase in the GA of extracellular matrix-forming cells appeared to correlate with secretory activity. The GA of most other cells, even chondroblasts forming cartilage matrix, had much less marked APase activity. Contrary to previous suggestions, it appears that APase may have a more direct role in osteogenesis than the osteolytic or resorptive action usually cited.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Beams, H.W., King, R.L.: The Golgi apparatus in the developing tooth, with special reference to polarity. Anat. Rec. 57, 29–39 (1933).
Burstone, M.S.: Hydrolytic enzymes in dentinogenesis and osteogenesis. In: Calcification in biological systems, p. 217–243 (Sognnaes, R.F., ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Association for the Advancement of Science 1960.
Cabrini, R.L.: Histochemistry of ossification. Int. Rev. Cytol. 11, 283–306 (1961).
Cameron, D.A.: The fine structure of bone and calcified cartilage. Clin. Orthop. 26, 199–228 (1963).
Cameron, D.A.: The Golgi apparatus in bone and cartilage cells. Clin. Orthop. 58, 191–211 (1968).
Carneiro, J., Leblond, C.P.: Role of osteoblasts and odontoblasts in secreting the collagen of bone and dentin as shown by radioautography in mice given tritium-labeled glycine. Exp. Cell Res. 18, 291–300 (1959).
Cederberg, I.: The occurrence of alkaline and acid phosphomonoesterases in the tooth germ of albino rats. Acta anat. (Basel) 12, 334–340 (1951).
Cohn, S.A.: Development of molar teeth in the albino mouse. Amer. J. Anat. 101, 295–319 (1957).
Dauwalder, M., Whaley, M.G., Kephart, J. E.: Phosphatases and differentiation of the Golgi apparatus. J. Cell Sci. 4, 455–497 (1969).
Deane, H.W., Dempsey, E.W.: The localization of phosphatases in the Golgi region of intestinal and other epithelial cells. Anat. Rec. 93, 401–417 (1945).
Dixon, T.F., Perkins, H.R.: The chemistry of calcification. In: The biochemistry and physiology of bone, p. 287–307 (Bourne, G.H., Ed.). New York: Academic Press 1956.
Elftman, H.: A direct silver method for the Golgi apparatus. Stain Technol. 27, 47–52 (1952).
Fell, H.B., Robinson, R.: The development and phosphatase activity in vivo and in vitro of the mandibular skeletal tissue of the embryonic fowl. Biochem. J. 24, 1905–1941 (1930).
Fullmer, H.M.: The histochemistry of the connective tissues. Int. Rev. Conn. Tiss. Res. 3, 1–76 (1965).
Garant, P.S., Nalbandian, J.: Observations on the ultrastructure of ameloblasts with special reference to the Golgi complex and related components. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 23, 427–443, (1968).
Gardner, E.: Osteogenesis in the human embryo and fetus. In: The biochemistry and physiology of bone, 2nd ed., vol. 3, p. 77–118 (Bourne, G.H., ed.). New York: Academic Press 1971.
Godman, G.C., Lane, N.: On the site of sulfation in the chondrocyte. J. Cell Biol. 21, 353–366 (1964).
Godman, G.C., Porter, K.R.: Chondrogenesis, studied with the electron microscope. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 8, 719–760 (1960).
Goldfischer, S., Essner, E., Novikoff, A. B.: The localization of phosphatase activities at the level of ultrastructure. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 12, 72–95 (1964).
Gomori, G.: Calcification and phosphatase. Amer. J. Path. 19, 197–207 (1943).
Hammarström, L.E., Hanker, J.S., Toverud, S.U.: Cellular differences in acid phosphatase isoenzymes in bone and teeth. Clin. Orthop. 78, 151–167 (1971).
Hanker, J.S., Hammarström, L.E., Toverud, S.U., Yates, P.E.: The formaldehyde-sensitivity of acid phosphatases involved in osteogenesis and odontogenesis in the rat. Arch. oral Biol. 17, 503–509 (1972).
Hanker, J.S., Kasler, F., Bloom, M.G., Copeland, J.S., Seligman, A.M.: Coordination polymers of osmium: The nature of osmium black. Science 156, 1737–1738 (1967).
Hanker, J.S., Seaman, A.R., Weiss, L.P., Ueno, H., Bergman, R.A., Seligman, A.M.: Osmiophilic reagents: New cytochemical principle for light and electron microscopy. Science 146, 1039–1043 (1964).
Hanker, J.S., Yates, P.E., Clapp, D.H., Anderson, W.A.: New methods for the demonstration of lysosomal hydrolases by the formation of osmium blacks. Histochemie 30, 201–214 (1972).
Johnson, M.L.: The time and order of appearance of ossification centers in the albino mouse. Amer. J. Anat. 52, 241–271 (1933).
Johnson, P.L., Bevelander, G.: The localization and interrelation of nucleic acids and alkaline phosphatase in the developing tooth. J. dent. Res. 33, 128–135 (1954).
Kallenbach, E., Sandborn, E., Warshawsky, H.: The Golgi apparatus of the ameloblast at the stage of enamel matrix formation. J. Cell Biol. 16, 629–632 (1963).
Karnovsky, M.J.: A formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde fixative of high osmolality for use in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 27, 137 A (1965).
Katchburian, E., Holt, S.J.: Role of lysosomes in amelogenesis. Nature (Lond.) 223, 1367–1368 (1969).
Katchburian, E., Katchburian, A.V., Pearse, A. G. E.: Histochemistry of lysosomal enzymes in developing teeth of albino rats. J. Anat. (Lond.) 101, 783–792 (1967).
Leonard, E.P., Provenza, D.V.: Histochemical observations on the phosphatase activity of the developing dental primordia in the Swiss albino mouse as detected by azo dye and osmium-capture methods. Arch. oral Biol. 15, 635–643 (1970).
Nassonow, D.N.: Das Golgische Binnenetz und seine Beziehungen zu der Sekretion. Morphologische und experimentelle Untersuchungen an einigen Säugetierdrüsen. Arch. mikr. Anat. 100, 433–472 (1924).
Neutra, M., Leblond, C.P.: Radioautographic comparison of the uptake of galactose-H3 and glucose-H3 in the Golgi region of various cells secreting glycoproteins or mucopolysaccharides. J. Cell Biol. 30, 137–150 (1966).
Northcote, D.H.: The Golgi apparatus. Endeavour 30, 26–33 (1971).
Novikoff, A.B., Goldfischer, S.: Nucleosidediphosphatase activity in the Golgi apparatus and its usefulness for cytological studies. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 47, 802–810 (1961).
Pritchard, J.J.: A cytological and histochemical study of bone and cartilage formation in the rat. J. Anat (Lond.) 86, 259–277 (1952).
Radden, B.G., Fullmer, H.M.: Morphological and histochemical studies of bone repair in the rat. Arch. oral Biol. 14, 1243–1252 (1969).
Reith, E.J.: The stages of amelogenesis as observed in molar teeth of young rats. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 30, 111–151 (1970).
Rose, G.R.: The Golgi complex of living osteoblasts. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 9, 463–478 (1961).
Seligman, A.M., Hanker, J.S., Wasserkrug, H., Dmochowski, H., Katzoff, L.: Histochemical demonstration of some oxidized macromolecules with thiocarbohydrazide and osmium tetroxide. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 13, 629–639 (1965).
Seligman, A.M., Wasserkrug, H.L., Deb, C., Hanker, J. S.: Osmium-containing compounds with multiple basic or acidic groups as stains for ultrastructure. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 16, 87–101 (1968).
Smith, R.E., Farquhar, M.G.: Lysosome function in the regulation of the secretory process in cells of the anterior pituitary gland. J. Cell Biol. 31, 319–347 (1966).
Sobel, H.J.: The localization of acid phosphatase activity in rat pituitary and thyroid glands and its relation to secretory activity. Endocrinology 68, 801–807 (1961).
Sobel, H.J., Avrin, E.: The localization of acid phosphatase activity in rat pancreatic acinar cells: a light and electron microscopic study. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 13, 301–303 (1965).
Weinstock, A., Leblond, C.P.: Elaboration of the matrix glycoprotein of enamel by the secretory ameloblasts of the rat incisor as revealed by radioautography. J. Cell Biol. 51, 26–51 (1971).
Wirtschafter, Z.T.: The genesis of the mouse skeleton: A laboratory atlas, p. 5. Springfield, Illinois: C. C. Thomas 1960.
Wergedal, J.E., Baylink, D.J.: Distribution of acid and alkaline phosphatase activity in undemineralized sections of rat tibial diaphysis. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 17, 799–806 (1969).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This investigation was supported by PHS Research Grant No. DE 02668 from the National Institute of Dental Research and in part by General Research Support Grant No. RR 5333 from the General Research Support Branch of the National Institutes of Health.
The authors gratefully acknowledge the excellent technical assistance of Dorothy H. Clapp and Peggy E. Yates.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hanker, J.S., Dixon, A.D. & Smiley, G.R. Acid phosphatase in the Golgi apparatus of cells forming extracellular matrix of hard tissues. Histochemie 35, 39–50 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00303663
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00303663