Concentric Lamellar Bodies in Axon Terminals and Preterminal Axons of Cerebellar Purkinje Cells in Groggy Mutant Rat:

The process of formation and degeneration of concentric lamellar bodies (CLBs) in axon termi-nals and preterminal axons of Purkinje cells were examined by acid phosphatase (ACPase) cytochemistry. In myelinated axons, tubular structures measuring 20-50 rim in diameter contained ACPase reaction products. In altered axon terminals and preterminal axons of Purkinje cells, elongated saccular structures contained numerous reaction products. These saccular structures were arranged concentrically and enclosed cytoplasmic organelles. In the CLBs displaying degenerative profiles, ACPase reaction products were dispersed in the degenerating materials. The nature of the tubular structures and their roles in the transport of ACPase and the formation of CLBs are discussed. Key words: concentric lamellar body, axon terminal, Purkinje cell, acid phosphatase, groggy rat Purkinje cells have been shown to yield concentric lamellar bodies (CLBs) in their axon terminals and preterminal axons under certain pathological condi-tions.1"3 ' These CLBs contain acid phosphatase (ACPase) and ubiquitin.1'34 ' Sotelo and Palay1 ' have suggeste