Journal of Cell Science, Vol 10, 705-717, Copyright © 1972 by Company of Biologists

Submitted on September 1, 1971

Synthesis and Localization of Sulphated Mucopolysaccharide in Megakaryocytes and Platelets of the Rat, An Analysis by Electron-Microscope Autoradiography

¹ Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, South Parks Road, University of Oxford, OX1 3RE England

Electron-microscope autoradiography has been used to investigate the synthesis and localization of sulphated mucopolysaccharide in megakaryocytes and blood platelets. Following 10-min incubation of bone marrow with ³⁵S-sulpahte in vitro the majority of the activity in megakaryocytes was associated with the Golgi apparatus, but a substantial proportion was associated with other cytoplasmic organelles, suggesting either rapid transport or sulphation of mucopolysaccharide outside the Golgi apparatus. Three hours after the intravenous injection of ³⁵SO₄ only a small proportion of the total activity was associated with the Golgi apparatus, most being associated with demarcation membranes and dense granules, while 12 h after injection almost all the activity was associated with demarcation membranes and granules. A rising proportion of activity localized solely on the demarcation membranes suggested that they may possess some activity of their own.

Autoradiographs of blood platelets prepared 72 h after the injection of ³⁵SO₄ were analysed. It was shown that most of the activity was associated with the -granules, but there was strong evidence that the platelet membrane possessed a low level of activity.

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