Ultrastructural localization of Ca(++)-ATPases in Meissner's corpuscle of the Mongolian gerbil.

The cytochemical localization of Ca(++)-ATPases in Meissner's corpuscles of the palatine mucosa of the Mongolian gerbil was studied. Wachstein-Meisel's medium modified by SALAMA et al. (1987) was used for the demonstration of low-affinity Ca(++)-ATPase or Ca++/Mg(++)-ATPase, whereas the medium devised by Körtje et al. (1990) was used for the demonstration of high-affinity Ca(++)-ATPase. Orthovanadate-containing medium, Ca(++)- or/and Mg(++)-free medium, ATP-free medium and preheated sections were used as controls. The plasma membrane of axon terminals consistently showed a strong reaction for high-affinity Ca(++)-ATPase and a capricious reaction for Ca++/Mg(++)-ATPase. In contrast, plasma membranes of the caveolae of lamellar plates showed a strongly positive reaction for Ca++/Mg(++)-ATPase.