Ultrastructural localization of a lysosomal enzyme in resin-embedded lymphocytes.

The intracellular distribution of lysosomal enzymes in lymphocytes has previously been only poorly defined, mainly by cytochemical procedures of low resolution. In the present study we have used a post-embedding immunogold technique to identify the precise ultrastructural localization of a lysosomal enzyme, beta-glucuronidase, in activated lymphocytes embedded in Lowicryl K4M resin. We show that this enzyme is present in the rough endoplasmic reticulum, in the Golgi complex, and in vesicular organelles which probably include lysosomes.