Cytochemical contributions to differentiating GERL from the Golgi apparatus.

Recent studies from our laboratory are described which deal with endocrine cells (insulinoma, beta-cells of the pancreas, thyroid epithelial cells), pancreatic exocrine cells, and hepatocytes. These emphasize the importance of the hydrolase-rich specialized region of endoplasmic reticulum, known as GERL, in secretory cells. Also reviewed in this paper are the varied molecular transformations which apparently occur in GERL in different cell types, as reported from other laboratories as well as our own. Evidence of the continuity of GERL with rough endoplasmic reticulum is presented. Two hydrolytic enzyme activities in GERL, in addition to acid phosphatase activity, are recorded. Finally, the use of cytochemical staining procedures in the study of microperoxisomes is briefly described.