A new visualization principle of cerium phosphate reaction product of phosphatases in cryotome sections for light microscopy--the cerium-oxalate-osmium-silver (Ce-Ox-Os-Ag) method
Halbhuber, K.J.; Feuerstein, H.
Cellular and Molecular Biology 37(4): 467-474
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0145-5680 PMID: 1718603 Document Number: 381970
A new visualization principle for the detection of cerium phosphate reaction product of phosphatases in light microscopy is described. The new mode is based on the conversion of cerium phosphate into cerium oxalate. The latter is able to react with OsO4. In this way osmium black is formed, staining enzymatic activity sites grey or greyish-black. Utilizing the argyrophilia of osmium black, the staining contrast could be remarkably intensified by posttreatment with Ag-proteinate (Ce-Ox-Os-Ag procedure). This procedure is of similar sensitiveness in comparison to the DAB-Ni method, proposed earlier. The advantages are a very pale background staining and a complete suppression of the cerophilia. Moreover, it substitutes to DAB, a probable potent carcinogen. The method is time-saving when the processing of the reactions was stimulated in a microwave oven.