DNA and protein content as cellular biochemical parameters. A discussion with two examples: acid phosphatase and cathepsin D in rat liver and hepatoma and acid phosphatase in human breast normal tissue and adenocarcinoma.

The advantage of using DNA content as a biochemical parameter because the results it gives are directly related to cellularity is discussed. As examples, comparisons of acid phosphatase and cathepsin D activities in rat liver and hepatoma and of acid phosphatase in human normal breast tissue and adenocarcinoma are considered. Contradictory results are obtained, depending whether they are related to DNA content, fresh tissue weight, or protein content.