[A comparism between lysosomal enzyme activity in normal ectocervical squamous epithelium and squamous carcinoma of the ectocervix].

A comparative study was made of the total lysosomal enzyme activity found in homogenates of normal ectocervical squamous epithelium and squamous carcinoma of this epithelium. The activities of acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase, cathepsin D and acid ribonuclease were higher in carcinoma tissue than in normal tissue. The most important observation made was with regard to the distribution of enzyme activity in homogenates. In carcinoma homogenates most of the enzyme activity was detected in the lysosomal fractions, whereas in controls the activity was predominantly found in the cytosol fractions. No histochemical and electron microscopical techniques were used in this study. Because it was possible to sediment the enzyme activity and to demonstrate latency, these can be referred to as lysosomal enzymes with certainty.