ACID-PHOSPHATASE-ACTIVITY IN MATING-TYPE-I AND MATING-TYPE-II CELL-LINES OF PARAMECIUM-PRIMAURELIA

The cellular acid phosphatase content, a marker enzyme for lysosomal a ctivity, in Paramecium primaurelia mating type I and mating type II ce lls was determined by optical laser scanning microscopy. The naphthol AS-TR phosphatase-hexazotized pararosaniline method was used to visual ize acid phosphatase activity by the light microscopy. Cell lines of b oth mating types were tested during culture life, from the early log p hase to the death phase. The amount of acid phosphatase was higher in mating type II than in mating type I until the onset of the stationary phase, and then the values reversed. Indeed, during the log phase of growth, mating type II cells formed a higher number of food vacuoles, so that, by taking up a higher amount of bacteria, they sooner became deprived of food. It is suggested that, by lacking nutrients, their sy nthesis activities and acid phosphatase content were reduced as compar ed with mating type I cells.