Ultrastructural localization of calcium-activated adenosine triphosphatase (Ca2+-ATPase) in growth-plate cartilage

The electron-microscopic cytochemical localization of calcium-activated adenosine triphosphatase (Ca2+-ATPase) was determined in chick epiphyseal growth-plate cartilage. In the reserve zone, mitochondria and lysosomes contained substantial amounts of reaction product, while the plasma membrane and the Golgi complex showed very weak enzymatic activity, and matrix vesicle membranes did not exhibit the cytochemical reaction. As maturation proceeded, the plasma membrane, Golgi complex, and matrix vesicle membranes also stained and were most intense in the proliferative and early hypertrophic zones. From the hypertrophic to the calcifying zone, cytochemical staining decreased progressively in the plasma membrane, the Golgi complex, and lysosomes, while in some cases mitochondrial reaction product remained intense. Matrix vesicles lost their enzymatic activity at the same time that matrix vesicle calcification commenced. It is proposed that this event allows matrix vesicles to calcify, since efflux of calcium would no longer occur.