Autoradiographic localizations of [35S]-sulfate and [3H]-glucosamine in the hamster ciliary epithelium

The localization of [35S]-sulfate and [3H]-glucosamine in the hamster non-pigmented ciliary epithelium was studied by light and electron microscopic autoradiography. The radioactivity was concentrated in the Golgi complex of the non-pigmented ciliary epithelium 10 mins after injections of [35S]-sulfate or [3H]-glucosamine. Silver grains of both isotopes covered the cytoplasm 60 mins after the administration and were then associated with the basal infoldings. Radioactivity of [3H]-glucosamine was observed in the basal lamina of the non-pigmented ciliary epithelium and the ciliary zonule; however, the localization of [35S]-sulfate in the basal lamina and the ciliary zonule was not demonstrated. These data lend support to the idea that the non-pigmented ciliary epithelium may synthesize glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and secrete non-sulfated glycosaminoglycans into the posterior chamber.