Golgi beta-glucuronidase of androgen-stimulated mouse kidney

Subcellular fractions were prepared from mouse kidney homogenates by differential and sucrose-gradient centrifugation. A fraction enriched in Golgi apparatus was obtained, which had considerably enriched galactosyltransferase and thiamin pyrophosphatase activities, and was morphologically typical of Golgi material. This preparation also had high beta-glucuronidase activity, which increased concomitantly with microsomal beta-glucuronidase activity during the specific stimulation of the enzyme in male mouse kidney after androgen administration. The degree of stimulation was much greater in the Golgi fraction. Gel-electrophoretic patterns of Golgi beta-glucuronidase resembled more closely those of the enzyme located within lysosomes, but contained minor bands similar to those described previously (Swank & Paigen, 1973) as characteristic of the microsomal enzyme. It was concluded that the Golgi complex is involved in the distribution of the enzyme after its synthesis to both lysosomal and microsomal fractions.

Surface polysaccharide from Staphylococcus aureus M that contains taurine, D-aminogalacturonic acid, and D-fucosamine

The surface polysaccharide antigen of Staphylococcus aureus M was isolated, and the component parts were identified. The antigen is composed of taurine, d-aminogalacturonic acid, and d-fucosamine. The capsule is chemically distinct from all previously reported staphylococcal capsules. Taurine and aminogalacturonic acid have not been reported previously in staphylococci.

Glycosyltransferases in the Golgi membranes of onion stem

Cell fractions consisting largely of Golgi membranes were prepared from the meristematic region of the onion. Several enzyme activities were found to be localized in these fractions: inosine diphosphatase, galactosyltransferases and glucosyltransferases. The fractions catalysed the transfer of [(14)C]galactose from UDP-galactose to endogenous and cell-sap acceptors, to N-acetylglucosamine and to ovalbumin. In the presence of bovine alpha-lactalbumin, transfer to glucose (lactose synthesis) was catalysed. [(14)C]Glucose was transferred from UDP-glucose to endogenous and cell-sap acceptors, to cellobiose and to fructose (sucrose synthesis). All these activities were latent, being potentiated by detergents (Triton X-100 or sodium deoxycholate). The characteristics of some of these enzyme activities are described and their biological significance is discussed.

Differentiation between intracellular and cell surface glycosyl transferases: galactosyl transferase activity in intact cells and in cell homogenate

Intact BHK (baby hamster kidney) cells catalyze the hydrolysis of UDP-galactose to free galactose. The generation of galactose from UDP-galactose and its intracellular utilization impede the detection of possible galactosyl transferases on the cell surface of intact cells. Several independent procedures have been used to distinguish between intracellular and cell surface glycosyl transferases. With these procedures, no evidence was obtained for the presence of detectable amounts of galactosyl transferase activity on the surface of BHK cells. The data suggest that galactosyl transferases do not play a general role in the phenomena of cell adhesion and contact inhibition.

Purification and characterization of Streptococcus mutans group d cell wall polysaccharide antigen

The Streptococcus mutans group d antigen of strain B13 has been purified and characterized with respect to chemical composition and immunochemical properties. The antigen was extracted from lyophilized cells or cell walls by using 5% trichloroacetic acid at 5 C for 16 h. The antigen could also be extracted with water or 0.01 N HCl at 100 C for 20 min. The antigen was purified by ion-exchange and gel chromatography and was found to contain 96% carbohydrate, 1.6% protein, and 0.3% phosphorus. Characterization by gas chromatography indicated that the polysaccharide was composed of galactose and glucose in a 2:1 ratio. The antigen contained two serologically active sites: one site specific for group d and a second site common to both group d and group a strains. Agar diffusion and immunoelectrophoresis indicated that the two sites existed on a single molecule. The immunological specificity of the group d polysaccharide site depended on a terminal d-galactose. The purified B13 antigen did not react with antisera specific for the glycerol teichoic acid from streptococci. Anti-d serum rapidly agglutinated whole cells, indicating that the antibody receptor sites of the polysaccharide antigen were at the surface of the streptococcal cell.