Role of lysosomes in gallium concentration by mammalian tissues

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Abstract
Two microanalytical methods, electron probe X-ray analysis (EPMA) and ion mass analysis (LAM) were used to study Ga incorportion in normal tissues (kidney, liver, mammary gland, bone marrow, bone tissue) and in experimental tumors. The very high sensitivity of IMA makes possible the detection of very low concentration of Ga (1 ppm) with a spatial resolution of 0.5 .mu.m, EPMA of lower sensitivity (100 ppm) makes possible the relation between the Ga concentration and the ultrastructure of the cell. Ga is concentrated in the lysosomes of both types of tissues, where it is precipitated in an insoluble form. Ga is systematically combined with P in these precipitates. These observations suggest an active intralysosomal concentrating mechanism related to the presence of local phosphatase activity.