Arysulfatase A modulation with pH in multiple sulfatase deficiency disorder fibroblasts

It has been observed that multiple sulfatase deficiency disorder (MSDD) fibroblasts contained from profoundly deficient to near normal amounts of arylsulfatase (ARS) A depending on the medium in which they were cultured. Our present findings show that the major factor determining the enzyme level is the pH of the medium during growth. In media which became acidic or was maintained at low pH (less than 7), the cells expressed the enzymopathy, while in high pH media (7.4), the cells produced enzyme. The high and low enzyme states were reversible. The ARS A deficiency in MSDD must, therefore, be a secondary manifestation of a mutation in another system.

Arylsulphatases A and B in human diploid fibroblasts: differential assay with 4-methylumbelliferylsulphate and AgNO3

A new technique is introduced for the differential assay of arylsulphatases A and B in centrifuged homogenates of cultured human skin fibroblasts, using 4-methylumbelliferyl-sulphate as a substrate and AgNO3 as a selective inhibitor of arylsulphatase A. The method can be applied in the diagnosis of metachromatic leucodystrophy, mucopolysaccharidosis type VI and mucosulphatidosis. Normal arylsulphatase activities were found in fibroblasts derived from patients with mucopolysaccharidoses types II, III-A and IV, known to be caused by deficiencies of various other sulphatases.

Detection of hunter heterozygotes by enzymatic analysis of hair roots

We have developed a procedure for testing iduronate sulfatase, the enzyme deficient in Hunter syndrome, in single hair roots. Beta-Hexosaminidase was used as the reference enzyme. The ratio of iduronate sulfatase to beta--hexosaminidase, expressed in arbitrary units of activity, is near zero for Hunter patients and greater than 0.6 in almost all roots of normal individuals. Hair roots of Hunter heterozygotes show a characteristic continuum of activity ratios, ranging from totally deficient up to and including the normal range. The results are consistent with the origin of hair roots from a small number of progenitor cells which obey the Lyon hypothesis. The proportion of roots with low activity can be used to discriminate between normal and heterozygous individuals.

Arylsulfatase of sea urchin sperm--distribution of arylsulfatase in the gonads and gametes of echinoderms

1. Fairly high activities of arylsulfatase are found in the sperm and mature testes of all the sea urchins studied; Strongylocentrotus intermedius, Strongylocentrotus nudus, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus and Anthocidaris crassispina, whereas the activities in the ovaries and eggs of these animals are low. 2. Neither the sand dollar, Clypeaster japonicus nor the starfishes, Asterias amurensis and Asterina pectinifera prove to have considerable activities of the enzyme in their gonads and gametes. 3. Most of the activity of arylsulfatase in the sperm of S. intermedius is found in the seminal plasma, but the significant activity is bound to the spermatozoa. 4. Part, if not all, of the spermatozoa-borne arylsulfatase is suggested to exist on the surface of spermatozoa or in the acrosome or both. 5. The ubiquitous distribution of sperm arylsulfatase in sea urchins on the contrary to its absence in starfish or sand dollar is discussed in connection with the penetration of sperm through egg investments.

Variation of arylsulphatase A: comparative studies of arylsulphatase A with synthetic and natural substrates in three families with metachromatic leucodystrophy

Arylsulphatase A activity was measured in leucocytes and cultured tibroblasts from individuals of three families with late infantile and adult metachromatic leucodystrophy, comparing enzyme assays with natural and two synthetic substrates including a simple and sensitive test employing 4-methylumbelliferly sulphate and AgNO3. Enzyme activities were compared with those obtained after isoelectric focusing. Arylsulphatase A values obtained for different heterozygotes were almost continuously scattered over the entire range from patient level to normal level. Nevertheless arylsulphatase A values of the heterozygotes were at least sligtly higher than the activity of diseases persons when measured with three different assays. The possibility is discussed of a crucial minimal level of residual arylsulphatase A activity necessary to avoid manifestation of the disease.

Enzymatic and immunological characterization of the Mycobacterium fortuitum complex

The arylsulfatase isozymes of Mycobacterium fortuitum, M. peregrinum, M. chelonei subsp. chelonei, and M. chelonei subsp. abscessus were examined to determine the isozymal and immunological relationship among the members of the M. fortuitum complex. Cell extracts were subjected to electrophoresis on agarose and polyacrylamide gel, and arylsulfatase activity was localized using beta-naphthyl sulfate as substrate. Unique zymograms were produced for M. fortuitum, M. peregrinum, and M. chelonei which were characteristic for each species. The immunological relationship among the sulfatases was assayed by using immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis followed by sulfatase staining for the enzyme. One of the isozymes of M. fortuitum and M. peregrinum cross-reacted, showing immunological identity. Antisera to sulfatases of M. fortuitum and M. peregrinum did not react with sulfatases of M. chelonei. The characterization of sulfatase isozymes in extracts of organisms in the M. fortuitum complex suggests the division of the M. fortuitum complex into two species, M. fortuitum and M. chelonei, with subspecies designations.

Electron cytochemical demonstration of four hydrolytic enzymes in the rat corpora lutea at second half of gestation

Corpora lutea from rat ovaries at mid pregnancy were fixed by perfusion and studied by electron cytochemistry for localisation of four hydrolytic enzymes. Using the metal-salt methods for acid phosphatase and aryl sulphatases activity was localised in small and large lysosomes, multivesicular bodies, Golgi complex and within cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum. The azo-dye coupling method for Beta-glucuronidase was less satisfactory and gave positive results in lysosomes, lipids and in the globules within the mitochondrial matrix. The latter two localisation were probably associated with affinity of the naphthol AS-BI for lipid material. In addition to plasma membranes, the reaction product for alkaline phosphatase with the lead-salt method was seen in lysosomelike bodies, in smooth endoplasmic reticulum and in occasional Golgi elements of granulosa lutein and endothelial cells. Increased activity of lysosomal acid hydrolases occurs when regressive changes of lutein cells start at the end of gestation and this might probably reflect the initiation of lytic processes.

Comparative immunological studies on arylsulfatase in bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae: occurrence of latent arylsulfatase protein regulated by sulfur compounds and tyramine

The arylsulfatases of 21 strains of the family Enterobacteriaceae were compared by measuring their enzymatic activities and immunological reactivities. Enzyme formation under repressing, nonrepressing, and derepressing conditions was tested. Antiserum prepared against pure arylsulfatase from Klebsiella aerobgenes W70 was tested against the enzyme extracts from the strains using double diffusion, quantitative precipitation, and immunoelectrophoresis. No close relationship was found between arylsulfatase activity and immunological cross-reactionship was found between arylsulfatase activity and immunological cross-reactivity. The strains in the family Enterobacteriaceae could be divided into two groups on the basis of the immunological properties of their enzyme. Antisera formed a precipitin band with both active and inactive enzyme proteins from Escherichia, Citrobacter, Salmonella, Klebsiella, and Enterobacter, but not with the proteins from Serratia, Proteus, and Erwinia, even though some strains of these species had enzyme activity. It was also found that the formation of arylsulfatase proteins, irrespective of whether they had enzyme activity, were under regulation by sulfur compounds and tyramine.

[Arylsulfatase activity in the pineal body, studied by electron microscopy]

For the demonstration of aryl-sulphatase in the corpus pineale as a substrat p-Nitrochatecholsulphat (2-Hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl sulphat) has been used. The reaction is negativ when p-Nitrophenylsulphat or acetylphenylsulphat are used. Localization of the enzyme occurred in the Golgi-system and in the smooth-surface endoplasmic reticulum. By the aid of the histochemical reaction the formation of primary lysosomes can be demonstrated on the level of the Golgi system and of the smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum as well. Aryl-sulphatase correspond to the: A and B type. Reaction in the presence of pCMB and KCN is inhibited.

Autophagy-related changes of arylsulphatases A and B in rat liver lysosomes

The total arylsulphatase activity and the relative activities of lysosomal arylsulphatases A and B were measured in the liver of control rats and rats subjected to treatments that provoke hepatic autophagocytosis. The total liver arylsulphatase activities were increased in starved and starved glucagon-treated rats, but not in sham-operated and hepatectomized rats. Arylsulphatases A and B in the mitochondrial-lysosomal (M-L) fraction were separated by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis at pH 8.8; they were made visible by incubating the gels with p-nitrocatechol sulphate as substrate, and measured by quantitative densitometry. In untreated controls, arylsulphatases A and B comprised 41.4 +/- 0.5% and 58.6 +/- 0.5% of the total arylsulphatase activity respectively; the arylsulphatase A/arylsulphatase B activity ratio was 0.71. All experimental treatments produced a significant decrease in the percentage of lysosomal arylsulphatase present as the A form and an increase in that present as the B form, and the activity ratio of arylsulphatase A/arylsulphatase B declined. The magnitude of these changes increased in the following direction: starvation for 24h=sham hepatectomy less than glucagon + starvation less than subtotal hepatectomy. These results indicate that the arylsulphatase A/arylsulphatase B activity ratio in liver lysosomes of normal rats is maintained within rather narrow limits, and this ratio declines during enhanced autophagocytosis. These findings, together with observations that suggest that arylsulphatase B may be a partially degraded form of arylsulphatase A, are consistent with the view that the A form is more rapidly converted into the B form during autophagy, owing to the digestive activity of the other lysosomal hydrolases present in autophagic vacuoles.

Laboratory aids to diagnosis--enzymes

A summary is presented of those organ specific enzyme assays traditionally used in evaluation of the patient with cancer. In addition, the use of certain serum enzymes such as gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, phosphohexose isomerase or 5'-nucleotidase as aids in following the course of the disease, particularly in patients with metastatic spread to the liver is outlined. Also considered is the utility of enzyme analysis in biopsy tissue, biologic fluids, and washings of body cavities. Newer enzymes are considered which might, in the future, be developed as diagnostic tools or as probes for the understanding of the etiology of cancer.