[Submicroscopic localization of endogenous peroxidase activity in the oral mucosal epithelium of man (author's...

Using electron microscopy, the authors localized endogenous peroxidase activity in the buccal mucosal and alveolar process epithelium. A positive reaction could be demonstrated in all epithelial layers. The number of positive structures was greatest in the spinous layer. The reaction product is of a granular nature and is localized in the microperoxysomes. The reaction of lipofuscin granules, lysosomes, and telolysosomes in the upper epithelial layers is considered to be of none enzymatic origin. The importance of endogenous peroxidase to tissue is discussed in detail.