Studies on the intestinal disaccharidases of the pigeon IV. Immunochemical properties of sucrase . isomaltase and maltase . glucoamylase

Antisera against purified pigeon small intestinal sucrase-isomaltase (S-I) and maltase-glucoamylase (M-G) were prepared from rabbits. Both sera showed cross-reactivity. It was demonstrated that the sucrase . isomaltase was purified to homogeneity, supporting our earlier results of SDS-PAGE of pigeon intestinal disaccharidases. Both the sucrase- isomaltase and maltase-glucoamylase activities were not inhibited by either specific or cross-reacting antibodies even when a several fold of either antibody was present. It is inferred from these immunochemical results that the two complexes in the pigeon intestine share many structural identities, and that their catalytic site(s) may not be involved in their antigenic domains.

Studies on the intestinal disaccharidases of the pigeon. III. Separation, purification and properties of sucrase-isomaltase and maltase-glucoamylase

Sucrase-isomaltase (S-I) and maltase-glucoamylase (M-G) of the brush border have been purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from the pigeon small intestine. Heat-inactivated enzymes of crude homogenates of the pigeon intestinal mucosa, papain-solubilized enzymes and those obtained after chromatographic fractionation behaved in an identical manner. Depending on their sensitivity to heat treatment, the disaccharidases were identified to consist of two maltases; one, the heat-labile maltase, and the other, the heat-stable maltase. Sucrase and isomaltase constituted the thermolabile maltase and could be distinguished from each other. Maltase and glucoamylase formed the thermostable maltase the activities of which however, remained inseparable. Based on these results and in accordance with the nomenclature suggested by Dahlqvist & Telenius (1969), the pigeon intestinal disaccharidases were classified as follows: Maltase Ia = isomaltase, Maltase Ib = sucrase, and Maltase II = glucoamylase. DEAE-Cellulose chromatography did not resolve the two enzyme complexes but gel filtration of the active fractions recovered from the former step, resulted in their separation into two distinct peaks. Sucrase, isomaltase and a part of the maltase activity were recovered in the first peak which eluted close to the void volume. Glucoamylase and the remaining maltase activity were recovered in the second peak which appeared to have been retarded on the column because they were eluted much more slowly. The S-I and M-G complexes have an apparent molecular weight of 195 kd and 209 kd as determined by their gel-filtration pattern on Sepharose 6B. S-I hydrolysed alpha-glucosides such as maltose, sucrose and palatinose with a Km of 3.12 mM, 8 mM and 8.36 mM respectively and did not attack starch or dextran. In contrast, M-G catalysed the hydrolysis of starch, amylose and maltose with a Km of 3.12 mM, 7.59 mM and 3.52 mM respectively, and had no action on sucrose or palatinose. Both S-I and M-G were glycoproteins, and were inhibited by Ag+, Hg2+ and Tris but not by p-hydroxymercuribenzoate, iodoacetamide or imidazole. Na+ on the other hand activated both the enzyme complexes by about 20-25%. It is suggested that the molecular and catalytic properties of intestinal disaccharidases of pigeons do not differ considerably from those of Mammals.

Studies on the intestinal disaccharidases of the pigeon. II. Subcellular localization and solubilization

In the pigeon, 70-80% of the activities of maltase (alpha-D-glucoside glucohydrolase EC 3.2.1.20), sucrase (alpha-glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.48), isomaltase (dextran 6-alpha-D-glucan hydrolase, EC 3.2.1.10) and glucoamylase (1,4-alpha-D-glucan glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.3) were found to be localized in the brush-border membrane of intestinal epithelial cells. Of the total glycosidase activities in the mucosal homogenate, nearly 60 to 70% were recovered in the microsomal (105 000 X g) fraction, about 30% in the mitochondrial (22 000 X g) fraction and less than 5% from the cytosol (105 000 X g supernatant) fraction. The hydrolases were solubilized by digestion with papain but not with trypsin, and the phosphate ion had a protective effect in the solubilization. Amongst detergents, Triton X-100 but not sodium deoxycholate, was found to truly solubilize these enzymes.

Behavioral and electrical correlates of absence seizures induced by thalamic stimulation in juvenile rhesus monkeys with frontal aluminum hydroxide implants: a pharmacologic evaluation

A new method for producing electro-clinical correlates of absence seizures (petit mal epilepsy) in conscious juvenile rhesus monkeys is described. A behavioral arrest reaction associated with concomitant 2 1/2 to 3 Hz spike and wave electroencephalograph (EEG) after discharge pattern, was obtained by thalamic stimulation in monkeys with bilaterally symmetric aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) lesions in anterior premotor cortical areas. The characteristic behavioral and EEG features associated with absence seizures appeared reproducibly, 63 +/- 5 days after aluminum hydroxide cortical implantation. This test system distinguishes between anticonvulsants that are effective in generalized seizures of the absence type and anticonvulsant drugs that are effective in focal seizures. Clinically useful anti-absence drugs, such as ethosuximide, sodium valproate, clonazepam, and trimethadione, are effective in this model. Diphenylhydantoin, which is contraindicated in absence states, increases the spike and wave after-discharge pattern. The limitations, advantages, and potential usefulness of this model in predicting anti-absence activity as well as the incidence of side effects of new drugs is discussed.

Arrest reaction with concomitant spike and wave afterdischarge following thalamic stimulation in conscious juvenile monkeys with Al (OH)3 focal premotor lesions

The behavioural and electroencephalographic responses resulting from stimulation of a specific area in the nucleus medialis dorsalis (nMD) of unanaesthetized juvenile Rhesus monkeys is described. A behavioural arrest reaction, lack of awareness and motor inhibition with concomitant 2 1/2 to 3Hz spike and wave EEG afterdischarge patterns were obtained by stimulation of the nMD in monkeys with bilaterally symmetrical aluminium hydroxide Al (OH)3 lesions in anterior premotor cortical areas.

Experimental spike and wave EEG pattern from thalamic stimulation in anaesthetized juvenile monkeys

A bilaterally synchronous 3/sec spike and wave pattern in the EEG can be obtained during stimulation of the nucleus medialis dorsalis (nMD) and nucleus paracentralis (nPC) of the thalamus, in lightly anaesthetized juvenile monkeys. The spike and wave EEG patterns have a frequency of 2 1/2 to 3Hz and occur during low frequency stimulation, without continuing into the post-stimulatory phase. Stimulation of the mesencephalic reticular formation (MRF) at higher voltages inhibits the thalamic-induced spike and wave response. This finding has heuristic significance, as activating stimuli arrest the wave and spike EEG pattern of human absence (petit mal epilepsy) seizures. The study also demonstrates the morphological similarity of the 3/sec spike and wave thalamic induced response in experimental and clinical absence states as well as similarities in their alterations with different levels of activation.