D. Porcel et al., LOCALIZATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ALKALINE-PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY IN THEHEPATOPANCREAS OF THE SNAIL, Tissue & cell, 26(3), 1994, pp. 413-419
Histocytochemical methods were used to investigate alkaline phosphatas
e activity in the digestive gland (hepatopancreas) of the common garde
n snail Helix aspersa. Histochemical findings and light microscopic ob
servations showed that enzymatic activity was confined mainly to the b
asal connective tissue that enveloped the adenomeres. Transmission ele
ctron microscopy showed that enzymatic activity was localized in the p
lasma membrane, and showed an intercellular distribution along the lat
eral surfaces and the basal portions of the cells in different adenome
res. Alkaline phosphatase activity was also found in the plasma membra
ne of fibrocytes of the basal connective tissue enveloping the adenome
res. Enzymatic activity was seen around the fat droplets of glandular
cells. The possible involvement of alkaline phosphatase in processes o
r remodelling of the basal connective tissue that envelopes the gland
is discussed.