Ultrastructural localization of glucose 6-phosphatase activity in tracheal epithelium of the rat

Ultrastructural localization of glucose 6-phosphatase activity was studied in the tracheal epithelium of the rat. The reaction product for the enzyme activity was localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope of all cell types composing the tracheal epithelium, namely ciliated cells, goblet cells, brush cells and basal cells. This pattern of localization is similar to that shown by hepatocytes, proximal convoluted tubule cells of the kidney and a variety of other cell types. The function of this enzyme in tracheal epithelial cells is discussed.