Elsevier

Aquatic Toxicology

Volume 8, Issue 1, April 1986, Pages 65-76
Aquatic Toxicology

An ultrastructural study on the effects of phenanthrene on lysosomal membranes and distribution of the lysosomal enzyme β-glucuronidase in digestive cells of the periwinkle Littorina littorea

https://doi.org/10.1016/0166-445X(86)90073-1Get rights and content

Abstract

The effects of phenanthrene exposure on ultrastructural morphology of the lysosomal vacuolar system and distribution of the lysosomal enzyme, β-glucuronidase in digestive cells of the marine gastropod snail Littorina littorea were investigated. Evidence of effects to the limiting membrane of heterolysosomes and heterophagosomes, on phenanthrene exposure, were demonstrated. Digestive cells from exposed animals also exhibited increased formation of lipid inclusions and lipofuscin granules. Localisation of β-glucuronidase activity in phenanthrene exposed animals was similar to controls with activity predominantly in heterolysosomes and heterophagosomes. However, activity was also observed in the cytoplasm surrounding heterolysosomes and also associated with lipid inclusions in the basal area of the cells. High levels of activity were sometimes also located in the lumina of the tubules, associated with the microvillous border of the digestive cells. After 3 days recovery from phenanthrene exposure increased numbers of residual bodies/lipofuscin granules were present in the apical region of the cells and in the lumen of a number of tubules indicating a rapid exocytosis of indigestible products resulting from phenanthrene exposure.

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