Simultaneous demonstration of glycogen and protein in glycosomes of cardiac tissue.

Abstract

Cardiac conduction fibers fixed either in glutaraldehyde and OsO4 or treated additionally en bloc with uranyl acetate were studied in order to demonstrate the structure of glycosomes (protein-glycogen complex). Sections were stained histochemically by periodic acid-thiosemicarbazide-silver proteinate (PA--TSC--SP) for glycogen followed by uranyl acetate and lead citrate (U-Pb) for protein. In control sections periodic acid was replaced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Glycogen appeared in all sections stained by PA-TSC-SP. Protein was poorly contrasted in periodic acid treated histochemical sections taken from fixed in glutaraldehyde and OsO4. Simultaneous staining of glycogen and protein was achieved in sections of tissue treated en bloc with uranyl acetate. This treatment revealed two classes of glycosomes: 1) glycosomes deposited freely in the cytoplasm whose structure was disintegrated after treatment with uranyl acetate: 2) glycosomes associated with other cellular structures that remained intact. Staining of glycogen and protein in the same section demonstrated for the first time the structure of intact glycosomes.