Cytochemical detection of disulfide and sulfhydryl groups in lamprey aortic microfibrils

A cytochemical study was performed on the lamprey ventral aorta with special reference to disulfide and sulfhydryl groups of microfibrils, using the high-iron diamine-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (HID-TCH-SP) method combined with several other types of treatment. The HID-TCH-SP staining observed was classified into three categories: 1) weak staining in the periphery of collagen fibrils, 2) moderate staining in the boundaries of collagen fibrils, microfibrils and smooth muscle cells, and 3) intense staining of microfibrils. The first and second categories of staining were considered to represent chondroitin and/or heparan sulfate because of sensitivity of the staining to chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) and its specific localization. By contrast, the third category of staining was considered to represent disulfide and sulfhydryl groups of microfibrillar glycoprotein, because it was disclosed only after Oxone oxidation or thiosulfation and was not removed by ChABC digestion. Although this staining reactivity was not apparently altered by SH blockade prior to oxidation or thiosulfation, it was markedly diminished or completely inhibited by S-S reduction followed by SH blockade. These results indicate that lamprey aortic microfibrils contain more S-S groups than SH groups.