DISTRIBUTION OF ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE IN NORMAL AND IN NEOPLASTIC TISSUES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

Abstract

The histochemical method for demonstration of alkaline phosphatase introduced by Gomori¹and by Takamatsu²has made possible the precise location of this enzyme in tissues and in individual cells in which it had not previously been found. Thus, phosphatase has been shown to occur in the epithelium of the small intestine, the proximal convoluted tubules of the kidney, ossifying cartilage, embryonic perichondrium, capillary endothelium and certain tumors, notably osteogenic sarcomas in the chicken and mouse and a fibroadenoma of the breast in man³. The information obtained has provided support for the hypothesis of Lundsgaard⁴that a phosphorylase-phosphatase system is important in the absorption of dextrose by the epithelium of the small intestine and in the reabsorption of dextrose in the proximal convoluted tubules of the kidney.⁵The question of the function of phosphatase in the other tissue cells has become of considerable significance. No extensive