Intracellular distribution of arylsulphatase activity in adrenal cortical cells of the rat

Fluctuations in arylsulphatase activity in the rabbit endometrium during the sexual cycle

Histochemical and biochemical studies were performed to verify the presence of arylsulphatase A (ASA) and B (ASB) in the rabbit uterus. Fluctuations in the activity of these sulphatases during the sexual cycle were also studied. Some structural and functional properties of purified ASA were determined. The results indicate that arylsulphatases are active in the endometrium during both the estrogenic and progesteronic phases. The activity of ASA was much more intense than that of ASB; it increased during estrus and decreased during the post-ovulatory phase. ASB activity, however, decreased during estrus and increased during the post-ovulatory phase. The significance of these fluctuations is discussed in relation to the action of sexual hormones and physiological substrates of arylsulphatases.

Arylsulphatases A and B in the oviduct of female rabbits in anestrus and estrus conditions

An investigation has been carried out on the activity of arylsulphatases A and B (ASA and ASB) in the oviduct of rabbits in anestrus and estrus conditions. The histochemical and biochemical results obtained have demonstrated that both arylsulphatases are present in the ampulla tract and in the isthmic one, and that the estrus determines a considerable increase in the specific activity of ASB. Hypothesis are advanced on the probable-meaning of the variations in the activity of these enzymes, particularly in relation to the secretion of glycoconjugates by the epithelium of the oviduct.

Soluble arylsulphatases in the rabbit salivary glands. A light and electron microscopy study

A histochemical study was effected, by light and electron microscopy, on the activity of arylsulphatases A and B in the submandibular and sublingual glands of male and female rabbits, distinguishing, among the latter, between the physiological estrus and anestrus condition. The results obtained demonstrated that the enzymatic activity is more intense in the sublingual gland and that the estrus condition causes an increase in this activity. No correlation was found between the topochemical distribution of the soluble arylsulphatases and that of sulphates.

Enzymic heterogeneity of adrenocortical lysosomes: an X-ray microanalytical study

The enzymic heterogeneity of the lysosomal system has been demonstrated earlier. This study was concerned whether or not the lysosomes of the two outer zones of the rat adrenal cortex reveal any population characteristics on the basis of the activity of two enzymes. A double incubation method was used for the simultaneous electron cytochemical demonstration of acid phosphatase and arylsulphatase activity in the zonae glomerulosa and fasciculata of the adrenal. Lysosomes in semi-thin (0.5 micrometer) or ultra-thin sections were analysed with an ORTEC energy-dispersive X-ray microanalyser mounted on a JEOL TEMSCAN-100C electron microscope. Linearity of the amount of reaction deposit with incubation time was found for both enzymes. On the basis of the proportion of the two reaction products in individual lysosomes, three populations were distinguished. One with high acid-phosphatase and low, if any, arylsulphatase activity was only present in the zona glomerulosa. The other two populations exhibited stronger or weaker prevalence of arylsulphatase activity and were common in both zones. The values of the Ba/Pb ratio characteristic of each population changed with the reaction sequence but the principal distribution pattern did not. The nature of the interaction between the two reactions, as well as the possible functional significance of the lysosomal populations in the adrenal cortex, are discussed but are not yet clarified.

Localization of the activity of arylsulphatases A and B in the rat salivary glands

A histochemical study has been carried out by light and electron microscopy on the localization of the activity of arylsulphatases A and B in the salivary glands of rat. Results obtained indicate that in the submandibular gland a greater activity is present in the cells of the convoluted granular tubules than in the acina cells, whereas in the sublingual gland the cells of the preterminal tracts appear to be more reactive than those of the terminal tracts. The probable role played by these sulphatases is discussed.

The effect of ACTH and cortisone on the behaviour of arylsulphatases in the salivary glands of white rat

Many reports show (DAVIDOFF 1973, HOOK et al. 1970, KOSTULAK 1974, MILSOM 1970, THYBERG 1972) that arylsulphatases are widely present in the tissues of many animals, and a high activity has been observed, among other things, in secretory epithelia (HSU and TAPPEL 1965, KOSTULAK 1975, MAKITA and SANBORN 1971). The occurrence of these enzymes some authors connect with the metabolism of sulphated polysaccharides (DOGSON 1968, MARTIN et al. 1969, MEYER 1969). However, although the specificity and intracellular localization of these enzymes in different tissues have been described perviously, there are only a few reports about their localization in the salivary gland, and the functional role of arylsulphatases in the physiological function of the salivary glands. The observations reported by numerous authors (KOZLOWSKA 1973, KYAW and MELLORS 1972, SACHS and DE DUVE 1962), and in ours studies (KOSTULAK 1975) indicate that the activity of lysosomal enzymes, including arylsulphatases, is modified by steroid hormones. Moreover, it is known that these hormones have an influence on the composition and nature of the carbohydrate-protein complexes produced by the salivary glands (KOFOED et al. 1973, KOSTULAK et al. 1972). Therefore it seemed interesting to examine the behaviour of arylsolphatases in the salivary glands after treatment with large doses of ACTH and cortisone, and find if there is any correlation between the activity of these enzymes and the changes of sulphated polysaccharides observed previously in the cell of the salivary glands after applying ACTH and cortisone.

Microspectrophotometry of mitochondrial cytochrome P-450 in single adrenal cells

The cytochrome P-450 is known to be a key enzymic component in steroid hydroxylation. Biochemically it is localized in adrenal cells, both in the mitochondrial and in the microsomal fractions. Owing to its characteristic light absorptivity, attempts were made at its localization and measurement in a microspectrophotometric system. Specific difference spectra were obtained in the cytoplasm of some cells from an adrenal cell suspension before and after saturation with carbon monoxide. Scanning at 450 nm showed slender absorption maxima after CO saturation randomyl distributed in the cytoplasm. These may be attributed to mitochondria or larger cytoplasmic functional units including mitochondria.

Anesthesia and the golgi apparatus: enzyme activity changes in a golgi-rich fraction of rat liver after a short ether anesthesia

Activity changes of enzymes in isolated rat liver Golgi preparations at different times (1-48 h) after a short ether anesthesia are reported. Activity of galactosyl-transferase showed a slight gradual increase but thiamine pyrophosphatase decreased sharply, and after 24 h increased to above control level. Arylsulphatase-A remained largely unchanged, and B was significantly decreased. Acid phosphatase activity did remain at the control level, but alkali phosphatase showed a gradual and highly significant increase. Five other enzymes representing probable contaminations from other subcellular organelles, have also been assayed. Correlation is sought between the enzyme activity changes and some other metabolic effects of anesthesia.