Lysosomal acid hydrolases in the chloragogen cells of earthworms

• Published in: Comparative biochemistry and physiology. A, Comparative physiology Vol. 45; no. 2; pp. 607,IN15,619 - 618,IN15,635
• Main Authors: Varute, A.T., More, N.K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier B.V 01.06.1973
• Subjects: Acid Phosphatase - antagonists & inhibitors; Acid Phosphatase - metabolism; Animals; Dehydration; Drug Stability; Enzyme Activation; Esterases - antagonists & inhibitors; Esterases - metabolism; Glucuronidase - antagonists & inhibitors; Glucuronidase - metabolism; Histocytochemistry; Hot Temperature; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Intestines - cytology; Intestines - drug effects; Intestines - enzymology; Kinetics; Lysosomes - drug effects; Lysosomes - enzymology; Oligochaeta - cytology; Oligochaeta - drug effects; Oligochaeta - enzymology; Starvation; Structure-Activity Relationship; Hoplochaetella powelli; β-glucuronidase; digestion in earthworms; chloragosomes; acid hydrolases; starvation; acid phosphatase; lysosomes; esterase; dehydration; Pheretima elongata; Earthworms; chloragogen cells
• DOI: 10.1016/0300-9629(73)90470-2
• ISSN: 0300-9629

1. 1. Considerable quantities of β-glucuronidase, acid phosphatase and esterase were found in chloragogen cells of earthworms. Their pH optima, heat sensitivity and response to inhibitors indicated their lysosomal nature. 2. 2. Activities of these enzymes showed a threefold increase in the first 2–3 days of starvation, a decrease in the next 2 days but a significant increase in the next 6 days. 3. 3. With the exception of β-glucuronidase which showed a considerable decrease after 8 hr of dehydration, the remaining two enzymes showed a sharp increase in the first 5 hr of dehydration followed by a considerable decrease in the next 3 hr. 4. 4. It is suggested that chloragosomes in these cells are modified lysosomes and their function is mainly nutritive under metabolic stress.