Effect of elastase on the histochemical demonstration of alkaline phosphatase activity in chick pecten.

The effect of elastase on alkaline phosphatase activity in the chick pecten capillaries was studied electron histochemically. The pecten was treated with elastase before incubation in the medium for alkaline phosphatase. Inactive alkaline phosphatase in the chick pecten capillary under dark adaptation could be demonstrated electron histochemically after treatment with elastase. Under light adaptation, the elastase-treated pecten demonstrated more intense alkaline phosphatase activity in the same localization as in the untreated pecten. Biochemical data also supported histochemically demonstrated enhancement effect of elastase on alkaline phosphatase activity in the chick pecten oculi. Elastase is expected to be useful for demonstrating enzymatic activity which is otherwise hard to detect.