In cells of salivary glands of last-instar larvae of Chironomus tentans, acid phosphatase activity is bound to (probable) lysosomes and a few other cell organelles. At the end of the pupal molt the salivary gland breaks down. While acid phosphatase in areas of nondegenerated cells is still restricted to the structures mentioned, in degenerated areas the enzyme is freely distributed in the cytoplasm.
Can. Ent. 103: 454-457 (1971) Changes in the hydrolytic enzymes, ribonuclease and acid phosphatase were investigated in the salivary gland of Chironomus tentans since these lysosomal enzymes may participate in hormonally stimulated tissue breakdown. Quantitative assays revealed 9-and 12-fold increases in the specific activity of these enzymes during pupation while the protein content of the gland was decreasing. These increases cannot be accounted for by decreased protein but may represent an activation, accumulation, or synthesis which seems to be important in gland breakdown at metamorphosis.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.