Location of immunoreactive leucine enkephalin in the digestive gland of the Mollusca Mizuhopecten yessoensis (Jay)

Distribution of leu-enkephalin-like peptides in the digestive gland of the Japanese scallop has been investigated by means of the indirect immunohistochemical method. The immunoreactive leu-enkephalin is revealed in supranuclear vacuoles of separate large secretory cells. These cells are situated in epithelium of the digestive tubules along the gland periphery. Their number is from 1-3 up to 5-6 per tubue section. The basal part of the cell and small apical vacuoles do not contain any products of the reaction. It is possible that in the bivalve molluscs, as in vertebrates, the leu-enkephalin-immunoreactive elements participate in regulation of digestion.