Lysosomal glycolipid storage in the renal tubular epithelium in mastomys (Praomys coucha).

The renal proximal tubular epithelium of MCC strain of mastomys (Praomys coucha) exhibited a number of cytoplasmic vacuoles after conventional paraffin-embedding procedures. These vacuoles were strongly PAS-positive in cryostat sections. Ultra-structurally, they were double membrane-bound structures filled with myelin figures and acid phosphatase-positive electron-dense matrix. Immunofluorescent microscopy revealed that these structures contained GM2 ganglioside. Other tissues or organs were histologically normal. Mating experiments indicated that the ganglioside storage in MCC mastomys is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.