Altered formation of dye-induced lysosomes in mouse fibroblasts due to growth in "deficient" media. Light and electron microscopic observations.

Abstract

Mouse fibroblasts were grown in a ‘deficient’ medium consisting solely of Hank's salt solution. Treatment of cells after 48 hours in deficient medium with the cationic dye, mepacrine, resulted in an altered formation of lysosomes. Cells grown in full medium form dense, multi-vesiculated lysosomes in response to mepacrine. Cells grown in deficient medium form large electron lucent vacuoles containing peripherally located dense globules. The significance of the observations in relation to the deficiency of the medium is discussed.