Evidence for glycogen particles in the peroxisome of riboflavin deficient mouse kidney.

In the proximal tubular cells of the kidney in riboflavin deficient mice, electron dense particulate materials of about 30 nm in diameter were observed in the matrix of the peroxisome-like cytoplasmic bodies. The cytochemical study showed that these cytoplasmic bodies were negative for acid phosphatase activity and positive for DAB reaction, thus indicating that these organelles were peroxisomes. The particulate materials in peroxisomes were well stained with aqueous uranyl acetate, lead tartrate, alkaline bismuth and periodate acid bismuth. These particles were also digested by amylase. These results indicated that the particulate materials in peroxisomes were native glycogen particles. From the present study it was apparent that the peroxisome contained glycogen particles, and suggested the possibility that in some conditions glycogen might be synthesized in the peroxisome.