Immunohistochemical Localization of Peroxisomal Enzymes During Rat Embryonic Development

Peroxisomes are cytoplasmic organelles involved in a variety of metabolic pathways. Thus far, the morphological and biochemical features of peroxisomes have been extensively characterized in adult tissues. However, the existence of congenital peroxisomal disorders, primarily affecting tissue differe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The journal of histochemistry and cytochemistry 2004-04, Vol.52 (4), p.423-436
Main Authors: Nardacci, Roberta, Falciatori, Ilaria, Moreno, Sandra, Stefanini, Stefania
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acetyl-CoA C-Acyltransferase - metabolism
Acyl-CoA Oxidase - metabolism
Animals
Catalase - metabolism
Embryonic and Fetal Development
Immunohistochemistry
Organ Specificity
Peroxisomes - enzymology
Peroxisomes - ultrastructure
Rats
Rats, Wistar
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Summary:Peroxisomes are cytoplasmic organelles involved in a variety of metabolic pathways. Thus far, the morphological and biochemical features of peroxisomes have been extensively characterized in adult tissues. However, the existence of congenital peroxisomal disorders, primarily affecting tissue differentiation, emphasizes the importance of these organelles in the early stages of organogenesis. We investigated the occurrence and tissue distribution of three peroxisomal enzymes in rat embryos at various developmental stages. By means of a highly sensitive biotinyl-tyramide protocol, catalase, acyl-CoA oxidase, and ketoacyl-CoA thiolase were detected in embryonic tissues where peroxisomes had not thus far been recognized, i.e., adrenal and pancreatic parenchyma, choroid plexus, neuroblasts of cranial and spinal ganglia and myenteric plexus, and chondroblasts of certain skeletal structures. In other tissues, i.e., gut epithelium and neuroblasts of some CNS areas, they were identified earlier than previously. In select CNS areas, ultrastructural catalase cytochemistry allowed identification of actively proliferating organelles at early developmental stages in several cell types. Our data show that in most organs maturation of peroxisomes parallels the acquirement of specific functions, mainly related to lipid metabolism, thus supporting an involvement of the organelles in tissue differentiation.
ISSN:0022-1554
1551-5044
DOI:10.1177/002215540405200401