The major protein of pancreatic
zymogen granule membranes (GP2) is anchored via covalent bonds to phosphatidyl inositol.
Seven translocation negative cases demonstrated papillary architecture with arborizing vessels 4 cases, vacuolated tumor cells (4 cases), solid sheets of bland tumor cells with eccentrically placed nuclei (7 cases), and
zymogen granules (3 cases).
Secondly, the released PPO exists as
zymogen in the hemolymph and must be activated by proteolytic cleavage [11, 20].
Co-localisation of
zymogen granules and lysosomes occur within the acinar cells and is seen in minutes of pancreatic injury.
It also mimics ACC, sharing the granular cytoplasm, microvacuoles, and microcystic growth pattern of ACC but lacking the cytoplasmic basophilia characteristic of ACC owing to the presence of
zymogen granules [Figure 7].
They confirmed experimentally in vivo and in vitro that decreasing pH (acidifying) increases the sensitivity of the acinar cells to
zymogen activation.
As suggested by DNA sequences, MMP-9 shares homology with collagenase, which is secreted as
zymogen that can be activated by proteases or organic mercury compounds.
The acinar cells of the pancreas produce and transport a variety of chemical compounds called proenzymes which are stored in
zymogen granules that exit the body via the digestive system where the proenzymes are converted into active enzymes and assist in the digestion of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.