HISTOLOGY AND CYTOCHEMISTRY OF HUMAN SKIN. XV. SITES OF PHOSPHORYLASE AND AMYLO-1,6-GLUCOSIDASE ACTIVITY

RICHARD A. ELLIS ¹ and WILLIAM MONTAGNA ¹

¹ Arnold Biological Laboratory, Brown University, Providence 12, Rhode Island

The localization of phosphorylase and amylo-1,6-glucosidase activity has been studied in surgical specimens of human skin from the palm, sole, axilla, external auditory meatus, and other representative regions of the body. With few exceptions these enzymes are found in cells which are known to contain glycogen normally. The epidermis shows some variability, but amylo-1,6-glucosidase is generally present in the stratum spinosum, while phosphorylase is found in both the stratum basale and the stratum spinosum. The relative amounts of the enzymes vary with the thickness of the epidermis and with the age of the donor. Growing hair follicles have abundant phosporylase and amylo-1,6-glucosidase in their outer root sheaths, while resting ones contain only phosphorylase. A short portion of the epidermal duct of the eccrine sweat glands has no enzymatic activity, but the remainder of the duct and the secretory portion of the gland is richer in phosphorylase than any other structure of the skin. The apocrine sweat glands have neither enzyme in their secretory coils, but the duct of these glands is rich in phosphorylase. Time sebaceous glands contain both enzymes, but phosphorylase is more concentrated in the peripheral cells of the gland. Neither the centers of the glands nor the sebum contain either enzyme.

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