Biomaterial Database

A histochemical study of the effect of phenol on the mitochondria and lysosomes of cultured cells. 1978

M J Tyas

This study was undertaken to assess the effect of a known cytotoxic substance on the permeability of the organelle membranes of cultured cells. BHK-2-1 (C-13) cells were grown as monolayers on glass cover-slips and exposed for 1 h to 1 mg/ml and 2 mg/ml phenol. The cover slips were recovered and incubated for the demonstration of acid phosphatase and succinate dehydrogenase, marker enzymes for lysosomes and mitochondria respectively. The density of final reaction product after various incubation times was measured using a scanning integrating microdensitometer. At a concentration of 1 mg/ml, phenol causes labilization of the lysosomes and consequent loss of enzyme, which is further enhanced at 2 mg/ml. The mitochondrial membranes also showed a marked increase in permeability after exposure to 1 mg/ml phenol, but to a lesser extent than that of lysosomes. The results are discussed in the context of cell damage and DNA synthesis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008247	Lysosomes	A class of morphologically heterogeneous cytoplasmic particles in animal and plant tissues characterized by their content of hydrolytic enzymes and the structure-linked latency of these enzymes. The intracellular functions of lysosomes depend on their lytic potential. The single unit membrane of the lysosome acts as a barrier between the enzymes enclosed in the lysosome and the external substrate. The activity of the enzymes contained in lysosomes is limited or nil unless the vesicle in which they are enclosed is ruptured or undergoes MEMBRANE FUSION. (From Rieger et al., Glossary of Genetics: Classical and Molecular, 5th ed).	Autolysosome,Autolysosomes,Lysosome
D008928	Mitochondria	Semiautonomous, self-reproducing organelles that occur in the cytoplasm of all cells of most, but not all, eukaryotes. Each mitochondrion is surrounded by a double limiting membrane. The inner membrane is highly invaginated, and its projections are called cristae. Mitochondria are the sites of the reactions of oxidative phosphorylation, which result in the formation of ATP. They contain distinctive RIBOSOMES, transfer RNAs (RNA, TRANSFER); AMINO ACYL T RNA SYNTHETASES; and elongation and termination factors. Mitochondria depend upon genes within the nucleus of the cells in which they reside for many essential messenger RNAs (RNA, MESSENGER). Mitochondria are believed to have arisen from aerobic bacteria that established a symbiotic relationship with primitive protoeukaryotes. (King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed)	Mitochondrial Contraction,Mitochondrion,Contraction, Mitochondrial,Contractions, Mitochondrial,Mitochondrial Contractions
D010539	Permeability	Property of membranes and other structures to permit passage of light, heat, gases, liquids, metabolites, and mineral ions.	Permeabilities
D010636	Phenols	Benzene derivatives that include one or more hydroxyl groups attached to the ring structure.
D002460	Cell Line	Established cell cultures that have the potential to propagate indefinitely.	Cell Lines,Line, Cell,Lines, Cell
D000135	Acid Phosphatase	An enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of an orthophosphoric monoester and water to an alcohol and orthophosphate. EC 3.1.3.2.	Acid beta-Glycerophosphatase,Acid beta Glycerophosphatase
D013385	Succinate Dehydrogenase	A flavoprotein containing oxidoreductase that catalyzes the dehydrogenation of SUCCINATE to fumarate. In most eukaryotic organisms this enzyme is a component of mitochondrial electron transport complex II.	Succinic Oxidase,Fumarate Reductase,Succinic Dehydrogenase,Dehydrogenase, Succinate,Dehydrogenase, Succinic,Oxidase, Succinic,Reductase, Fumarate