Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People
Published on: July 5, 2017
The everchanging advances in enzyme histochemistry, 1986-1996
P J Stoward1, Y Nakae, C J Van Noorden
1Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Dundee, UK.
Enzyme histochemistry has advanced significantly since 1986, with immunohistochemistry now preferred for enzyme localization. New techniques enable visualization of previously undetectable enzymes and quantification of their activity.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Histochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Enzyme histochemistry has historically relied on catalytic methods.
- Limitations existed in visualizing specific enzyme forms and activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review key advancements in enzyme histochemistry since 1986.
- To highlight the shift towards newer, more sensitive techniques.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature and technological developments.
- Comparison of catalytic histochemistry with immunohistochemistry.
- Introduction of in situ hybridization and RT-PCR.
Main Results:
- Immunohistochemistry has largely replaced catalytic methods for enzyme localization.
- New techniques allow visualization of previously undetectable isoenzymes and enzyme classes.
- Methods for quantifying enzyme distribution and kinetics have been developed.
Conclusions:
- Significant progress has been made in enzyme histochemistry.
- Modern techniques offer enhanced sensitivity and specificity for enzyme analysis.
- These advancements facilitate a deeper understanding of enzyme function in situ.
Related Concept Videos
Enzyme Kinetics
Scientists typically study enzyme kinetics with a fixed amount of enzyme in the controlled environment of a test tube. When more reactant, or substrate, is...
Introduction to Enzymes
Most enzymes are proteins that speed up biochemical reactions without being consumed. Enzymes contain one or more active sites that bind the substrates and convert them into products. Many enzymes also...
Introduction to Enzyme Kinetics
The experimenter can then plot the initial reaction rate or velocity (Vo) of a given trial against the substrate concentration ([S]) to obtain a graph of the reaction properties. For many enzymatic reactions involving a...
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
There are many different types of ELISAs, but they all involve an antibody molecule whose constant region binds an enzyme, leaving the variable region free to bind its specific antigen. Enzyme-substrate reaction allows the antigen to be visualized or quantified.
Immunocytochemistry and Immunohistochemistry
These...
Introduction To Enzymes
Most enzymes are proteins that speed up biochemical reactions without being consumed. Enzymes contain one or more active sites that bind the substrates and convert them into products. Many enzymes also...

