Lysosomal compartment of macrophages: extending the definition of GERL.

Abstract

Professional phagocytes such as [rat] Kupffer cells show an extensive network of interconnected residual bodies with cytochemically demonstrable acid phosphatase [orthophosphoric monoester phosphohydrolase (acid optimum), EC 3.1.3.2]. In such cells and in others (hepatocytes, etc.) this compartment may be considered a part of GERL [a hydrolase-rich region of endoplasmic reticulum situated at the trans face of the Golgi apparatus from which various lysosomes appear to arise].