Histochemical localization of .BETA.-N-acetylhexosaminidase in the epidermis of eel.

Abstract

To elucidate the origin of β-N-acetylhexosaminidase which had been found in the external mucous materials of varlous fishes, histochemical detection of β-N-acetylhexosaminidase activlty in the epidermis of eel was attempted using naphthol AS-BI N-acetyl, β-D-glucosaminide as sub-strafe and hexazonium pararosanilin as capture reagent. Besides, the structure of eel skin was observed histochemlcally by staining with periodate-Schiff reagent and toluidine blue. β-N-Acetylhexosaminidase activity was demonstrated as red-stained granules around the mature goblet cells in the upper layer of the epidermis. From the fact that the cell membrane in the epidermis was stained with periodate-Schiff reagent and toluidine blue, the membrane was revealed to con-tain carbohydrate components, presumably complex carbohydrates. From the above findings, it was assumed that β-N-acetylhexosaminidase might be involved in catabolic collapse of the super-ficial cells of the epidermis.