Histochemical studies on the distribution of acid phosphatases in neurones of sensory ganglia; light and electron microscopy

Summary Acid phosphatase activity of rat sensory ganglia was studied by light and electron microscopic histochemistry. Neurones of trigeminal and spinal ganglia showed two characteristic patterns of -glycerophosphatase. Enzymic activity in small neurones appeared as granules, i.e. lysosomes, whereas activity in large neurones appeared as a network of filaments and scattered granules. The network pattern was due to localization of the reaction product in the Golgi apparatus and in association with the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The presence of at least two acid phosphatases was suggested on account of differences in sensitivity between the enzymes in the small and large cells toward several fixatives and inhibitors.