Thiol containing antioxidant drugs and the human immune system

The over production of toxic oxygen species (TOS) by the phagocytic cells involved in inflammatory processes plays a crucial role in generating the immune defects which characterize both infections and neoplastic diseases. Since the thiol containing drugs, and N-acetylcysteine possess a high capacity for scavenging and inhibiting TOS, the question of whether these substances are able to protect, in vivo as well as in vitro, the function of lymphocytes isolated from the peripheral blood in patients suffering from chronic pulmonary diseases (CPD) was investigated. The lymphocytes isolated from healthy donors as well as those from CPD patients exposed in vitro to TOS showed a reduced viability and an impairment of functions in: (a) the ability to express HLA Class II and TAC antigens and (b) the capacity to stimulate and proliferate in allogenic (MLR) and autologous mixed lymphocyte reactions (AMLR). The presence of NAC or CAT blocked this toxicity. Cells isolated from healthy donors and patients following treatment with NAC were less sensitive to the in vitro toxicity of TOS.

Parallel inheritance of tissue catalase activity and immunostimulatory action of amphotericin B in inbred mouse strains

Both amphotericin B (AmB) and its methyl ester derivative are potent immunoadjuvants that also stimulate murine B lymphocytes and macrophages in vitro. Most of the common inbred mouse strains show AmB-induced immunostimulation (AmB-high responders) but mice from the C57BL strains, regardless of H-2 genotype, are AmB-low responders. Lymphoid cells from AmB-high responder strains also exhibit greater resistance to H2O2 toxicity in vitro compared with cells from AmB-low responders. This result led to an evaluation of differences in the tissue catalase levels of AmB-high and -low responder strains. Results from several laboratories, including ours, indicate that C57BL mouse strains express low levels of tissue catalase activity in addition to low or absent immunostimulant effects of AmB. Several AmB-high responder strains have high spleen cell, macrophage, and liver catalase, and the mouse strain distribution of enzyme activity as well as the dominant inheritance of the low catalase phenotype is compatible with regulation by the Ce-1 locus in lymphoid organs as well as liver. Other evidence also suggests that H2O2 metabolism is important in lymphoid cell responses to AmB. For example, AmB stimulates a stronger respiratory burst in macrophages from AmB-high responder strains under the same conditions that inhibit burst activity in macrophages from low responders. Selective immune enhancement by AmB in high catalase mouse strains along with enhanced susceptibility to AmB toxicity in low responder C57BL mice with low tissue catalase activity suggests that cellular peroxidation is a major determinant of the genetic regulation of amphotericin-induced immunostimulation.

Induction, identification, and cell-free translation of mRNAs coding for peroxisomal proteins in Candida tropicalis

Peroxisomes have been purified from Candida tropicalis grown on oleic acid and shown to be nearly pure by marker enzyme analysis, electron microscopy, and comparative sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. They contain approximately 20 polypeptides, among which acyl-CoA oxidase, trifunctional hydratase-dehydrogenase-epimerase, and catalase have been identified. Rabbit antisera have been elicited that react with these three proteins. When C. tropicalis is grown on alkanes, a dozen mRNAs are strikingly induced. Nine of the 12 induced mRNAs code for polypeptides that comigrate in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with peroxisomal proteins, among which three have been identified immunochemically as the acyl-CoA oxidase, the trifunctional protein, and catalase. These results indicate that some genes coding for peroxisomal proteins are strongly expressed during growth of C. tropicalis on alkanes. The data are consistent with evidence in other species that peroxisomes form by the post-translational incorporation of newly made proteins into pre-existing peroxisomes, generally without proteolytic processing, followed by peroxisome division.

Purification and characterization of heme-containing low-activity form of catalase from greening pumpkin cotyledons

In germinating pumpkin seeds, catalase is synthesized as a precursor (59-kDa) form, with molecular mass larger than the mature molecule (55 kDa). Both the precursor and mature forms of catalase are localized in the microbodies, i.e., glyoxysomes and leaf peroxisomes [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81, 4809-4813 (1984)]. We have now purified the 59-kDa catalase precursor and compared its properties with those of the 55-kDa mature molecule. The molar catalytic activity of the 59-kDa catalase was tenfold lower than that of the 55-kDa molecule, whereas the heme content was found to be same, with both forms containing four hematin groups per molecule. It is inferred from these results that the low activity of the 59-kDa molecule is not related to the binding of heme to the protein, but presumably involves conformational differences between the 59-kDa and 55-kDa molecules. We have further found that the reduction of total catalase activity in pumpkin cotyledons during greening was due to a decrease in the amount of the enzymically active 55-kDa catalase accompanying an increase in the 59-kDa molecule.

Spatial pattern of catalase (Cat2) gene activation in scutella during postgerminative development in maize

The scutellum of maize is a fully differentiated, nondividing, diploid embryonic tissue. Two distinct structural genes (Cat1 and Cat2) encoding the enzyme catalase (CAT) are differentially expressed in this tissue during postgerminative development. As development proceeds, the expression of Cat1 diminishes, while that of Cat2 is enhanced, leading to the disappearance of the CAT-1 protein and the gradual accumulation of the CAT-2 protein. The present investigation was undertaken to determine whether all scutellar cells may be genetically programmed to activate expression of Cat2 synchronously or whether there is an asynchronous spatial gradient of Cat2 activation. By using immunofluorescence microscopy and anti-CAT-2 IgG, we have found that a gradient of Cat2 activation occurs within the scutellar cell mass during postgerminative development. The gradient of Cat2 activation occurs from the outer perimeter of the tissue inward toward the embryonic axis. To determine a potential site of origin for any putative "triggering signal" for Cat2 activation, we demonstrated that Cat2 is expressed in the single layer of aleurone cells prior to its expression in any other tissue during kernel development. To our knowledge, this is the first observation of a gradient-type spatial pattern of a eukaryote gene activation occurring in a stable, virtually nondividing tissue such as the maize scutellum. The significance of these results with respect to developmental gene regulation is discussed.

Immunogenicity of polyethylene glycol-modified superoxide dismutase and catalase

Modification of proteins with polyethylene glycol (PEG) has been shown to result in a decrease in immunogenicity. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were modified with PEG and used to immunize mice. Antibody titers against the antigens were determined by ELISA. Mice immunized with PEG-SOD had antibody titers 0.03%-0.07% of that seen in mice with SOD, while mice immunized with PEG-catalase developed titers 0.02%-0.09% of that seen in mice with catalase. The modified enzymes retained the ability to react with preformed antibodies to the unmodified antigens. Antibodies to SOD reacted equally well with the PEG-SOD or SOD antigen. Antibodies to catalase reacted to PEG-catalase but at only 0.02% of the reaction with catalase antigen. In reciprocal studies, antisera against the PEG-proteins failed to react to an appreciable level with the corresponding unmodified protein. Modification with PEG resulted in a decrease in immunogenicity of both SOD and catalase.

Variation of a 470 000 daltons antigen complex and catalase antigen in clinical isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus

Antigens in ruptured mycelium of 18 Aspergillus strains including 14 clinical isolates of A. fumigatus were studied by immunoelectrophoresis. One antigenic component of molecular weight 470 000 previously characterized by hydrophobic interaction chromatography and gel filtration and a second component with catalase activity were detected in all A. fumigatus isolates but in varying quantities. The 470 000 antigen complex cross-reacted with antigens in A. flavus and A. nidulans but not in A. niger or A. terreus. A. fumigatus catalase antigen cross-reacted with catalase in A. flavus, A. nidulans and A. terreus, but not in A. niger. One A. fumigatus isolate produced two catalase antigens showing a reaction of partial identity. A. flavus also produced two catalase antigens, one of which was species-specific.

Tryptophan 5-hydroxylase. Rapid purification from whole rat brain and production of a specific antiserum

Tryptophan 5-hydroxylase (EC 1.14.16.4; L-tryptophan tetrahydropteridine: oxygen oxidoreductase) was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from whole brain supernatant using the following steps: pteridine-argarose affinity chromatography, hydrophobic and finally hydroxyapatite chromatography. Exogenous catalase was necessary throughout most of the purification procedure in order to protect the enzyme against inactivation. The iron chelator desferrioxamine at a concentration of 10 microM or higher brought about an irreversible loss of enzyme activity of a partially purified preparation containing an excess of catalase, whereas this same chelator at a lower concentration afforded considerable protection of the enzyme's activity during the final purification stage despite the quasi-total absence of catalase and the presence of an excess of ferrous iron. Antiserum raised in the rabbit to purified tryptophan 5-hydroxylase appears to be monospecific for the enzyme after immunoadsorption of anti-catalase antibodies which were present due to the trace of catalase which remained in the final enzyme preparation.

Rapid immunoelectrophoretic assay for detection of serum antibodies to Aspergillus fumigatus catalase in patients with pulmonary aspergillosis

A rapid immunoelectrophoretic assay was developed to detect antibodies to Aspergillus fumigatus catalase. The method's diagnostic sensitivity for pulmonary aspergillosis was 88% (72-97%, 95% confidence limits) in 33 patients presenting with either aspergilloma or Aspergillus lung infiltrate. The diagnostic specificity was 94% (90-97%) as judged from 191 patients with other infiltrative lung diseases, including infections and neoplasia. None of the 185 healthy subjects had catalase antibodies. The highest titres (ranging up to 256) were found in aspergillosis patients with cavitary lesions. Catalase antibody titres increased in two patients with concomitant development of lung cavities and mycetomas. In patients with resected or stable Aspergillus lung disorders catalase antibody titres declined by less than one dilution step per year.

Identification of mycobacteria by specific precipitation of catalase with absorbed sera

Cross-absorbed antisera have been prepared against catalase from reference strains of Mycobacterium asiaticum, Mycobacterium gordonae, Mycobacterium scrofulaceum, Mycobacterium simiae, and Mycobacterium szulgai. A total of 61 strains of mycobacteria were grown in small volumes of liquid medium and disrupted in sealed tubes in a cup horn sonicator, and the extracts were tested by a seroprecipitation technique against each of the reference antibody preparations. All 35 strains that belonged to one of the reference species reacted with the corresponding antibody, and none of the 61 extracts gave a significant cross-reaction with the absorbed antibody to a species to which it did not belong. This method appears to provide a rapid and accurate means of identifying mycobacterial cultures in the diagnostic laboratory.

Genetic mapping of katG, a locus that affects synthesis of the bifunctional catalase-peroxidase hydroperoxidase I in Escherichia coli

A locus unlinked to either katE or katF that affected catalase levels in Escherichia coli was identified and localized between metB and ppc at 89.2 min on the genome. The locus was named katG. Mutations in katG which prevented the formation of both isoenzyme forms of the bifunctional catalase-peroxidase HPI were created both by nitrosoguanidine and by transposon Tn10 insertions. All katG+ recombinants and transductants contained both HPI isoenzymes. Despite the common feature of little or no catalase activity in four of the catalase-deficient strains, subtle differences in the phenotypes of each strain resulted from the different katG mutations. All three mutants caused by nitrosoguanidine produced a protein with little or no catalase activity but with the same subunit molecular weight and with similar antigenic properties to HPI, implying the presence of missense mutations rather than nonsense mutations in each strain. Indeed one mutant produced an HPI-like protein that retained peroxidase activity, whereas the HPI-like protein in a second mutant exhibited no catalase or peroxidase activity. The third mutant responded to ascorbate induction with the synthesis of near normal catalase levels, suggesting a regulatory defect. The Tn10 insertion mutant produced no catalase and no protein that was antigenically similar to HPI.

An immunological investigation of catalase in three mammalian species

An immunological comparison of catalase has been conducted in the mouse, rat and guinea pig. In each of these species, enzyme activity from the peroxisomal compartment was indicated as immunologically distinct from the cytosolic activity, with catalase in the small granule compartment displaying intermediate characteristics. When related to the established data on the biogenetic and degradative changes of catalase in the mouse, the present results support the proposal that peroxisomal alterations, epigenetic modifications and degradative persistence are general characteristics of catalase biology in mammalian species.

Serological approaches for the characterization of catalase in tissue-derived mycobacteria

Cell-free extracts of Mycobacterium lepraemurium from mouse liver and M. leprae from armadillo liver were analysed for the presence of any mycobacterial catalase by using the specific inhibitor 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole and seroprecipitation titrations. These studies clearly demonstrated the presence of a "T" type of mycobacterial catalase in M. lepraemurium and placed it, in terms of immunological distance, in a position between M. tuberculosis and M. avium. The results did not reveal any detectable "T" catalase activity in the M. leprae preparations. The "M" type catalase activity which was observed did not bind to antisera against "M" catalase of M. kansasii, but was bound to the extent of 80% to antisera against normal armadillo liver catalase. The significance of the component of the "M" catalase in M. leprae preparations which did not react against antibodies to normal liver remains to be determined.

Immunological properties of erythrocyte catalase in Japanese type acatalasemia

The reaction between acatalasemia hemolysate and anti-normal erythrocyte catalase IgG gave a precipitin line which was interrupted by a normal precipitin line, in the double immunodiffusion method. Hypocatalasemia hemolysate revealed two precipitin lines, one completely, the other partially, fused with a normal precipitin line. No immunological reactions between fresh hemolysates of acatalasemia, hypocatalasemia and normal erythrocytes and antihuman C-reactive protein serum were observed, but the lysates stored for 4 weeks in an ice cold water bath reacted slightly with this antiserum.

Positive immunoselection using antibody-enzyme complexes

We have developed an immunoselection technique using catalase-anti-catalase complexes coupled to specific antibodies to protect antigen positive target cells from the lethal effects of H2O2. The antibody-enzyme complexes are bound to the target cells through an antibody bridge with specificity for both the complexes and an anti-target cell antibody. In a model system, Thy-1 positive (RL male 1-3) cells were protected by incubation with rabbit anti-brain-associated theta antigen (BAT), sheep anti-rabbit IgG [F(ab)'2] and catalase-anti-catalase complexes. The amount and composition of the complexes adhering to the cells were measured by dual radiolabeling of the catalase and anti-catalase immunoglobulin. This technique provides a means of identifying and isolating large numbers of cells bearing any antigen for which specific antisera are available.

Relatedness among coagulase-negative staphylococci: deoxyribonucleic acid reassociation and comparative immunological studies

DNA-DNA-homology values were determined under restrictive to relaxed reassociation conditions with type strains and some additional strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci belonging to ten different species. The immunological relationship of the catalases present in the type strains of these species was also determined by applying double immunodiffusion and microcomplement fixation. The results of these studies support the previous proposal to subdivide the coagulase-negative staphylococci into at least ten separate species. However, it is evident that some of the species are more closely realted than others and can form species groups. According to the results presented in this study, the coagulase-negative staphylococci can be combined into five species groups: The Staphylococcus saprophyticus group is composed of S. saprophyticus, S. xylosus and S. cohnii. The S. epidermidis group comprises S. epidermis, S. capitis and S. warneri. The S. hominis group which exhibits a significant relationship to S. epidermidis includes S. hominis and S. haemolyticus. The species group S. sciuri consists of S. sciuri ssp. sciuri and S. sciuri ssp. lentus and the species group S. simulans is presently represented by the corresponding single species.

A comparative immunological study of catalases from coagulase-positive staphylococci

Protein homology studies with catalase as a reference point were carried out with coagulase-positive staphylococci belonging to Staphylococcus aureus, S. intermedius and S. hyicus. Antisera against catalases of S. aureus ATCC 12600 and S. aureus ATCC12601 reacted very weakly employing double immunodiffusion and quantitative microcomplement-fixation assay with cell-free extracts or catalase enriched preparations of S. intermedius or S. hyicus. The differences between coagulase-positive staphylococci could be confirmed by using the antiserum against S. intermedius H 11 catalase. Within the strains of the species S. intermedius immunological distances ranging up to 25 indicate a heterogeneity which justify the separation of the biotypes E and F on a subspecies level. Coagulase-positive strains of S. hyicus revealed neither a close relationship to S. aureus nor to S. intermedius.

[Catalases of mycobacteria as antigens. I. Isolation, purification and characterization of catalases from different mycobacteria (author's transl)]

Preparations of catalase isolated from the strains M. tuberculosis, M. kansasii and M. bovis BCG are produced for testing their antigenic activity. After desintegration of the bacteria the highest activity remained in the precipitation with 50% saturated ammonium sulphate solution. The further purification of the catalase-fractions occurred with the aid of column chromatography on Sephadex G 200 and DEAE-Sephadex-A 50 after ultrafiltration. In this way the relative activity increased in M. tuberculosis 3- to 4-fold, in M. kansasii 12-fold and in M. bovis BCG 16-fold. The catalase preparations are uniform and nearly free from other protein compounds as indicated by the results of immunoelectrophoresis and Ouchterlony test.

Immunochemical specificity of a benzidine technique proposed to catalases histochemical detection

As an attempt to test the specificity of an histochemical technique proposed to detect catalases, an investigation was carried out by immunochemical techniques. Purified catalases were used after analysed immunochemically by double immune diffusion test and immunoelectrophoretic technique. These pure catalases induced, after injecting into guinea-pigs, anti-serums that react specifically with catalase and does not give any cross reaction with peroxidases and haemic iron containing compounds. By the direct and indirect immuno-fluorescence techniques it was shown an intense catalase reactivity inside the cytoplasm of adrenal cortex and hepatic cells, that appears as a granular pattern. These results are very similar to those provided by the histochemical technique, either concerning to the reactive cells or to the granular pattern of the positive reaction. In such instances, the immunochemical results suggest the specificity of the histochemical reaction. This specificity is confirmed by the previous treatment of tissue sections by catalases anti-serum. After this treatment either the immunochemical or the histochemical technique to detect catalases provide negative results on cells that before the treatment were strongly reactive.

Comparative immunological study of catalases in the genus Micrococcus

Double immunodiffusion tests were performed with crude extracts from various Micrococcus species and antisera against catalase of Micrococcus luteus CCM 169. Cell-free extracts of M. lylae ATCC 27566 exhibited good cross-reaction. Cell-free extracts or catalase enriched preparations of M. varians reacted very weakly and no reaction has been found with preparation of M. kristinae, M. nishinomiyaensis, M. roseus and M. sedentarius. The quantitative microcomplement fixation assay also revealed a closer relationship between M. luteus and M. lylae than between M. luteus and M. varians. Strains of other Micrococcus species reacted in the microcomplement assay with M. luteus antiserum just a weakly as non-related strains, e.g. Staphylococcus aureus or Cellulomonas cartalyticum.

Effect of covalent attachment of polyethylene glycol on immunogenicity and circulating life of bovine liver catalase

Methoxypolyethylene glycols of 1900 daltons (PEG-1900) or 5000 daltons (PEG-5000) were covalently attached to bovine liver catalase using 2,4,6-trichloro-s-triazine as the coupling agent. Rabbits were immunized by the intravenous and intramuscular routes with catalase modified by covalent attachment of PEG-1900 to 43% of the amino groups (PEG-1900-catalase). The intravenous antiserum did not yield detectable antibodies against PEG-1900-catalase or native catalase, as determined by Ouchterlony and complement fixation methods, whereas the intramuscular antiserum contained antibodies to both PEG-1900-catalase and catalase. PEG-1900 did not react with either antiserum. Catalase was prepared in which PEG-5000 was attached to 40% of the amino groups (PEG-5000-catalase). This catalase preparation did not react with either antiserum. PEG-1900-catalase retained 93% of its enzymatic activity; PEG-5000-catalase retained 95%. PEG-5000-catalase resisted digestion by trypsin, chymotrypsin, and a protease from Streptomyces griseus. PEG-1900-catalase and PEG-5000-catalase exhibited enhanced circulating lives in the blood of acatalasemic mice during repetitive intravenous injections. No evidence was seen of an immune response to injections of the modified enzymes. Mice injected repetitively with PEG-5000-catalase remained immune competent for unmodieied catalase, and no evidence of tissue or organ damage was seen.

Catalase biosynthesis in yeast: formation of catalase A and catalase T during oxygen adaptation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Catalase A from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its biosynthetic precursors can specifically be immunoprecipitated from extracts obtained from yeast cells grown in the presence of L-[3H]leucine or 59FeCl3. The enzyme and its precursors recognized by a specific antiserum are absent from anaerobic cells. During oxygen adaptation of yeast pre-grown on 0.3% glucose under anaerobic conditions catalase A is formed via a heme-less precursor, probably the apomonomer of the protein, and a heme-containing intermediate. When cells are grown in the presence of Tween 80 the amount of catalase A, but not of catalase T, increases 4-fold. Comparison of the mode of synthesis of catalase T and A shows that no precursor-product relationship exists between the two proteins.

Biosynthesis of rat kidney catalase. Double-labeling by [14C]leucine and delta-amino[3H]levulinic acid

Kidney catalase [EC 1.11.1.6] was doubly labeled by injecting a mixture of [14C]-leucine and delta-amino[3H]levulinic acid (ALA) into normal and allyliso-(2-isopropyl-4-pentenoyl)urea (Sedormid)-treated rats. Shortly after the injection of a tracer dose or the precursors, catalase in microsomes showed the highest specific radioactivities among catalases from various cell fractions. On the other hand, peroxisomal catalase was labeled gradually, reaching a plateau at about 90 min. The patterns of incorporation of both isotopes were similar to those obtained previously with rat live catalase, except that the 3H-radioactivities were much higher. From the results obtained it could be postulated that kidney catalase is synthesized on polysomes and then transferred to peroxisomes, directly or via the soluble phase. The ratio of 3H/14C incorporated was lowest in microsomal catalase, highest in microsomal catalase, highest in peroxisomal enzyme and intermediate in catalase of the soluble fraction. The increment with time was large in the latter two catalases, while the former showed a rather small change. The evidence suggests that nascent catalase contains less heme than the completed molecule; further addition of heme to this intermediate seems to occur in the cytosol, and possibly also in peroxisomes. Administration of a porphyrinogenic drug, (2-isopropyl-4-pentenoyl)urea, produced a remarkable decrease in the incorporation of [3H]ALA into kidney catalase, with no significant effect on that of [14C]leucine.

Localization of catalase A in vacuoles of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: evidence for the vacuolar nature of isolated "yeast peroxisomes"

The subcellular distribution of catalase A in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been investigated. The enzyme was found to be bound to large particles, whereas most of the activity of catalase T was located in a 38 000 X g supernatant. Under various isolation conditions catalase A always showed a distribution among subcellular fractions virtually identical to that of two markers for vacuoles, proteinase B and alpha-mannosidase. More than 80 percent of the catalase A activity of a crude vacuole fraci-onercent of the catalase A activity of a crude vacuole fraction has been detected in purified vacuoles. Malate synthase, isocitrate lyase and glyoxylate reductase (NADP), three peroxisomal markers, showed a subcellular distribution significantly different from that of catalase A. It is concluded from these results that catalase A is specifically associated with the vacuoles of yeast. Like vacuoles, "peroxisomal" fractions isolated from yeast spheroplasts as described by Avers[1] contain only one catalase protein, catalase A. It could be shown by isopycnic and sedimentation velocity separations of crude mitochondrial fractions that catalase A in "peroxisomal" fractions is accompanied by considerable activities of proteinase B and alpha-mannosidase. From all our results it seems that the catalase-active particles isolated under such conditions are not typical peroxisomes but vesicles formed from vacuoles during the isolation procedure.

Structure, composition, physical properties, and turnover of proliferated peroxisomes. A study of the trophic effects of Su-13437 on rat liver

Peroxisome proliferation has been induced with 2-methyl-2-(p-[1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthyl]-phenoxy)-propionic acid (Su-13437). DNA, protein, cytochrome oxidase, glucose-6-phosphatase, and acid phosphatase concentrations remain almost constant. Peroxisomal enzyme activities change to approximately 165%, 50%, 30%, and 0% of the controls for catalase, urate oxidase, L-alpha-hydroxy acid oxidase, and D-amino acid oxidase, respectively. For catalase the change results from a decrease in particle-bound activity and a fivefold increase in soluble activity. The average diameter of peroxisome sections is 0.58 +/- 0.15 mum in controls and 0.73 +/- 0.25 mum after treatment. Therefore, the measured peroxisomal enzymes are highly diluted in proliferated particles. After tissue fractionation, approximately one-half of the normal peroxisomes and all proliferated peroxisomes show matric extraction with ghost formation, but no change in size. In homogenates submitted to mechanical stress, proliferated peroxisomes do not reveal increased fragility; unexpectedly, Su-13437 stabilizes lysosomes. Our results suggest that matrix extraction and increased soluble enzyme activities result from transmembrane passage of peroxisomal proteins. The changes in concentration of peroxisomal oxidases and soluble catalase after Su-13437 allow the calculation of their half-lives. These are the same as those found for total catalase, in normal and treated rats, after allyl isopropyl acetamide: about 1.3 days, a result compatible with peroxisome degradation by autophagy. A sequential increase in liver RNA concentration, [14C]leucine incorporation into DOC-soluble proteins and into immunoprecipitable catalase, and an increase in liver size and peroxisomal volume per gram liver, characterize the trophic effect of the drug used. In males, Su-13437 is more active than CPIB, another peroxisome proliferation-inducing drug; in females, only Su-13437 is active.

Genetic regulation of the expression of catalase activity in murine red blood cells

The specific activity (k'1) and concentration of red blood cell catalase from four inbred strains of mice (BALB/c, C57BL, C57BL/6, and NBL) were measured to determine the mechanisms responsible for interstrain variations in enzyme activity. The specific activities of RBC catalase in NBL and the C57BL sublines are equal (2.5 x 10(7) M-1 sec-1), while that of BALB/c (4.0 x 10(7) M-1 sec-1) is 67% greater. The relative concentration of catalase is approximately 30% lower in NBL erythrocytes compared to the other three strains. The activity of BALB/c RBC catalase is due to a high k'1 coupled with a high intracellular concentration; RBC catalase activity in the C57BL sublines is the result of a low k'1 and high concentration. A low k'1 and a low concentration are responsible for the low catalase activity levels found in NBL erythrocytes.

Species-specific tissue antigens. III. Immunological relationships of enzymic antigens in various species

Immunological relationships have been investigated with acid and alkaline phosphatases, cystine aminopeptidase, beta-acetylglucosaminidase, beta-glucuronidase, catalase and L-glutamate dehydrogenase of human, monkey, mouse, rat, rabbit, dog, cattle, sheep, cat, pig, guinea-pig and chicken organ extracts by means of immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis. Extensive cross-reactions among the antigens of most of the enzymes were observed. However, enzymic proteins of acid and alkaline phosphatases, cystine aminopeptidase, beta-acetylglucosaminidase and beta-glucuronidase were found to possess primate and/or human-specific antigenic determinants.

[On the effect of immune and normal sera on catalase]

Effect of specific immune and normal sera on catalase was studied. The sera activated the enzyme, partially protected catalase against UV-irradiation and heating and also against the effect of inhibitors. Antibodies against catalase were observed in the fraction of 7 S gamma-globulins of immune serum. In studies of heat denaturation of catalase the stabilizing effect of immune serum was more distinct than the influence of normal serum and its protein fractions. In presence of serum protein fractions there was a correlation between the enthalpy of heat denaturation of catalase and decrease in specificity of the protein, in respect to the enxyme, associated with it in a complex. Alterations in enthropy compensated completely the decrease in enthalpy.

Effect of injection of nuclear fraction from Rhodamine sarcoma on turnover of liver catalase

1) When nuclear fraction prepared from Rhodamine sarcoma (sarcoma nuclear fraction) was injected into mice three times every 24 hr, the catalase activity of the liver decreased to one-third of the original activity. 2) By the injection of sarcoma nuclear fraction into mice, the catalase activity with the soluble fraction from homogenates of the liver decreased more significantly than that with the particulate fraction from them. 3) Immunological titration proved that the decrease of catalase activity in the liver of mice injected with sarcoma nuclear fraction was brought about by decrease in the amount of catalase protein. 4) In the mice, whose liver catalase activity had been irreversibly inhibited by injection of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, the initial rate for the restoration of the liver catalase activity was significantly showed by further injection of sarcoma nuclear fraction. 5) When the inhibitor of catalase biosynthesis, allylisopropylacetamide, was injected into mice, the activity level of the liver catalase decreased. The extent of decrease by the injection of the inhibitor was slightly lower than that by the injection with sarcoma nuclear fraction, which was almost the same as the extent of decrease by the injection of sarcoma nuclear fraction plus allylisopropylacetamide. 6) It is conceivable that the catalase biosynthesis in the liver was inhibited by the injection of sarcoma nuclear fraction in almost the same manner as by the injection of allylisopropylacetamide. However, it is not certain whether the degradation of liver catalase was slightly stimulated by the injection of sarcoma nuclear fraction.

Properties of leukocyte catalase in Swiss type acatalasemia: a comparative study of normals, heterozygotes and homozygotes

Properties of leukocyte catalase from individuals heterozygous and homozygous for Swiss type acatalasemia were found to differ from those of the normal enzyme as well as interindividually in regard to heat stability and electrophoretic mobility. Molecular hybridization is discussed as a possible explanation for the presence of intermediate catalase species. Antigenic identity of catalase from all sources is confirmed.