Répartition tissulaire d'acide ribonucléique chez la planaire Dugesia tigrina: étude histochimique au fluorochrome acridine-orange

Abstract

The distribution of nucleic acids, particularly of ribonucleic acid, was studied in the organs and cells of the turbellarian Dugesia tigrina, using the fluorochrome acridine orange as a histochemical marker. The cells showing the strongest ribosomal fluorescence are neoblasts and nerve cells with the exception of their axons. Secretory cells such as intestinal epithelial cells and vitelline cells also exhibit an orange–red fluorescence, though not as strong. Muscle fibers, both somatic and pharyngeal, show very little RNA fluorescence. Other organs are intermediate in intensity of fluorescence. This new method may serve as a useful tool for the histochemical study of peptide and protein synthesis in the lower metazoans. Examples of applications are embryonic development and growth, states of nutritional deprivation, and regeneration.