Enzyme Cytochemistry

Lysosomes
acid hydrolases
e.g., acid phosphatase

Gomori rxn for phosphatase cytochemical localization:

3 X-OPO₃^2- + 3 H₂O + 5 PbCl₂ ---> Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl + 3 X-OH + 3 H⁺ + 9Cl^-

For acid phosphatase to localize lysosomes, perform reaction at pH 5.0.

Peroxisomes = microbodies
Oxidases formH₂O₂ (E.g., various amino acid oxidases).
Peroxidase uses H₂O₂ for peroxidative reactions.

H₂O₂ + AH₂   --->      2 H₂O + A
Catalase activity of peroxidase destroys excess H₂O₂.
H₂O₂ + H₂O₂   --->      2 H₂O + O₂

Use 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) to do cytochemical peroxidase localization in peroxisomes:

H₂O₂ + DAB_reduced       --->      2 H₂O + DAB_oxidized

Oxidized DAB is insoluble and forms a precipitate.
Osmiophilic
Osmium black

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Send inquiries to J. Starling Last updated 1/21/2006 url:http://www.umsl.edu/~starling/

Department of Biology University of Missouri - St. Louis 8001 Natural Bridge Road St. Louis, MO 63121-4499