Ultrastructural localization of glucoside residues on tissue sections by applying the enzyme-gold approach

The enzyme-gold approach was applied for ultrastructural localization of glucoside residues in animal and plant tissues. A beta-glucosidase-gold complex was prepared and used on thin tissue sections to reveal the corresponding substrate molecules by electron microscopy. Conditions for preparation of the complex, as well as for its application, were determined. Once applied on thin tissue sections, the glucosidase-gold complex yielded labeling over the rough endoplasmic reticulum, mainly on the ribosomal side of the membranes, and over the dense chromatin in the nucleus. Mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, and secretory granules in liver and pancreatic cells were free of gold particles. In plant cells, the labeling pattern was similar. In addition, the stroma regions of chloroplasts were densely labeled. In the extracellular space, labeling was found over the basal laminae of cells in animal tissues and over the fibrillar wall material bordering the intercellular space in plant tissues. Fungal cell cytoplasm was also labeled, as well as the membrane delineating mycoplasma-like organisms. Control conditions confirmed these labelings, demonstrating the possibility of revealing glucoside residues on tissue sections with high resolution and specificity.