Histochemical studies on alkaline phosphatases in mineralizing oral tissues in the mouse.

Abstract

Activity of alkaline phosphatases in unfixed cold microtome setions from the lower first molar area of newborn mice was recorded by histochemical methods. A substrate specificity test included the following phosphate compounds: ATP, CTP, GTP, UTP, ADP, AMP, GP, PPi, MDP and naphthol AS-TR phosphate. Intense staining was obtained in osteoblasts, stratum intermedium of the enamel organ and odontoblasts with all the substrates, except PPi and MDP. Staining of skeletal muscle fibres was obtained only with triphosphates as substrates. Addition of-SH groups decreased the hydrolysis of triphosphate compounds in cells involved in mineralization while the hydrolysis of monophosphate was inhibited. In contrast triphosphatase activity in striated muscle was enhanced when-SH compounds were added. Demineralization with EDTA diminished the cytoplasmic staining but induced a nuclear staining in hard tissue forming cells when triphosphates were used as substrates. No cytoplasmic and only slight nuclear staining was seen with GP or AMP as substrates. The triphosphate hydrolyzing capacity of tongue muscle fibres was, however, increased after the decalcification treatment. Addition of Mg2+ ions to the incubation media distinctly lowered the hydrolysis of triphosphates in the investigated tissues whereas the hydrolysis of ADP, AMP, GP and naphthol AS-TR phosphate remained unchanged. In view of the findings the triphosphatase activities at alkaline pH of muscle fibres and of cells related to hard tissue formation are considered to be due to activity of separate enzymes. The orthophosphate liberating enzyme activities at alkaline pH in osteoblasts, stratum intermedium and odontoblasts may be expressions of the catalytic functions of one common enzyme. Furthermore, the results indicate that CaATP might be the substrate used by the alkaline ATPase in mineralizing areas.