Localization and distribution of alkaline phosphatase activity in the hepatopancreas of the snail

• Published in: Tissue & cell Vol. 26; no. 3; pp. 413 - 419
• Main Authors: Porcel, David, Bueno, Juan D., Cuadros, Miguel Angel, Almendros, Antonio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sidcup Elsevier Ltd 01.06.1994; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alkaline phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase - analysis; Alkaline Phosphatase - physiology; Animals; Biochemistry. Physiology. Immunology; Biological and medical sciences; digestive gland; Digestive System - enzymology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Helix (Snails) - enzymology; Histocytochemistry; Invertebrates; Microscopy, Electron; Mollusca; Physiology. Development; snail; Alkaline phosphatase; snail; digestive gland; Enzyme; Phosphoric monoester hydrolases; Esterases; Gastropoda; Helix aspersa; Enzymatic activity; Hepatopancreas; Hydrolases; Digestive gland; Invertebrata; Mollusca; Localization
• ISSN: 0040-8166; 1532-3072
• DOI: 10.1016/0040-8166(94)90024-8

Histocytochemical methods were used to investigate alkaline phosphatase activity in the digestive gland (hepatopancreas) of the common garden snail Helix aspersa. Histochemical findings and light microscopic observations showed that enzymatic activity was confined mainly to the basal connective tissue that enveloped the adenomeres. Transmission electron microscopy showed that enzymatic activity was localized in the plasma membrane, and showed an intercellular distribution along the lateral surfaces and the basal portions of the cells in different adenomeres. Alkaline phosphatase activity was also found in the plasma membrane of fibrocytes of the basal connective tissue enveloping the adenomeres. Enzymatic activity was seen around the fat droplets of glandular cells. The possible involvement of alkaline phosphatase in processes or remodelling of the basal connective tissue that envelopes the gland is discussed.