Our studies focused on the interrelationships of organelles (endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, GERL, lysosomes, peroxisomes, microperoxisomes, mitochondria, cytosolic lipid, coated vesicles, plasma membrane, and microfilaments) to gain a better understanding of organelle functions in normal, pathologic, and malignant cells. To search for differences between normal and malignant cells we used microscopy (light and electron) in combination with enzyme cytochemistry, immunocytochemistry, tracers, freeze cleavage, biochemistry, and molecular biology (e.g., in situ rDNA hybridization). Our key accomplishments have included developing immunocytochemical procedures for localizing preneoplastic antigens, epoxide hydrase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT) in 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF)-induced hepatomas; describing organelle translocations in hepatocytes during regeneration; studying hormone effects of functioning islet cells on hepatic ultrastructure; studying the uptake and transport of asialoglycoproteins in hepatocytes; localizing apo-protein B and A-I using immunocytochemistry in rat hepatocytes and absorbtive cells of the intestine; isolating fractions enriched in the Golgi apparatus and GERL from rat liver homogenates and characterizing these fractions biochemically; performing an extensive biochemical, ultrastructural, and enzymatic study of 3T3-L1 cells, including the isolation and characterization of microperoxisomes; describing an extensive lysosomal compartment in Kupffer cells and hepatocytes; developing immunocytochemical procedures for localizing lysosomal and glycoprotein processing enzymes; and localizing antimetabolites in neurons. (E)
