Histochemical localization of the soluble arylsulphatase activities in rat brain

Acquisition of arylsulfatase A onto the mouse sperm surface during epididymal transit

Arylsulfatase A (AS-A) is localized to the sperm surface and participates in sperm-zona pellucida binding. We investigated how AS-A, usually known as an acrosomal enzyme, trafficked to the sperm surface. Immunocytochemistry of the mouse testis confirmed the existence of AS-A in the acrosomal region of round and elongating spermatids. However, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry indicated the absence of AS-A on the surface of live testicular sperm. In contrast, positive AS-A staining was observed in the heads of live caudal epididymal and vas deferens sperm. The results suggested that acquisition of AS-A on the sperm surface occurred during epididymal transit. Immunocytochemistry of the epididymis revealed AS-A in narrow and apical cells in the initial segment and in clear cells in all epididymal regions. However, these epithelial cells are in the minority and are not involved in secretory activity. In the caudal epididymis and vas deferens, AS-A was also localized to principal cells, the major epithelial cells. Because principal cells have secretory activity, they may secrete AS-A into the epididymal fluid. This hypothesis was supported by our results revealing the presence of AS-A in the epididymal and vas deferens fluid (determined by immunoblotting and ELISA) and an AS-A transcript in the epididymis (by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction). Alexa-430 AS-A bound to epididymal sperm with high affinity (Kd = 46 nM). This binding was inhibited by treatment of sperm with an antibody against sperm surface sulfogalactosylglycerolipid. This finding suggests that AS-A in the epididymal fluid may deposit onto sperm via its affinity to sulfogalactosylglycerolipid.

Arylsulfatase, β-galactosidase and lysozyme in gastric cancer cells and its relationship to invasion

AIM: To study the distribution of arylsulfatase, β-galactosidase and lysozyme in gastric cancer cells, and its relationship to differentiation and invasion of gastric cancer cells.

METHODS: Histochemical, immunohistochemical and ruthenium red (RR) electrocytochemical technique for three types of hydrolases and proteoglycans in pericancerous matrix in 33 cases of gastric cancer were observed under light and electron microscopy.

RESULTS: The expression intensities of arylsulfatase, β-glactosidase and lysozyme in mucinous cell carcinomas were more intensive than those in well-differentiated and poorly-differentiated adenocarcinomas ( P < 0.05-0.01). The fibrous tissues smooth muscle and proteoglycans close to the cancer cells were degraded. They were found in the region far from the cancer cells. Expression of three enzymes mentioned above was low in adenocarcinoma cells, and fibrous tissues and RR granules were present and intact near the well-differentiated and poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma cells.

CONCLUSION: Mucinous cell carcinoma may release various hydrolases into extracellular matrix, inducing degradation of pericancerous matrix and facilitating cancer cell invasion and metastasis.

Acid hydrolases in HeLa cells: comparison of methods for light microscopy

To distinguish lysosome populations of HeLa cells, acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase, arylsulfatase and esterase were demonstrated using various substrates and couplers with different fixations, pHs and inhibitors. The substrates chosen were for acid phosphatase, naphthol AS-BI phosphate with fast red violet LB at pH 4.6; for beta-glucuronidase, naphthol AS-BI beta-D-glucuronide with fast red violet LB at pH 4.4; for arylsulfatase, p-nitrocatechol sulfate, with lead as the capturing ion, at pH 4.8 and 5.6; and for esterase, naphthol AS-D acetate with fast blue BB at pH 6.5. In the azo-dye methods, the coupling was always simultaneous and results were satisfactory with unfixed cells. For optimal demonstration of arylsulfatase, cells were fixed in glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M cacodylate buffer pH 7.2, 2% for 24 hr or 6.25% for 2 hr, and washed for 1-9 days in 0.1 M veronal acetate buffer pH 7.2, 7.5% with respect to sucrose. Two groups of lysosomes were distinguished. One comprised small bodies, probably primary lysosomes, which lay in a cluster near the nucleus. They had quite stable membranes and were mostly acid phosphatase-positive. They sometimes contained beta-glucuronidase or esterase, but rarely arylsulfatase. The other group included all the acid hydrolase-positive bodies scattered throughout the rest of the cytoplasm. They were mostly larger, with more labile membranes, and contained beta-glucuronidase, esterase or arylsulfatase, but rarely acid phosphatase.

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.

Arylsulphatase-containing granules in rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Arylsulphatase reactivity was localized to different-sized granules of the rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocyte. The reactivity at pH 7.0 was restricted to small granules (diameter 299 nm) that were usually peripheral in the cell. At pH 5.0, dense, uniform reaction product was found in granules of diameters 299, 516 and 712 nm. At pH 4.2, although granules of all sizes contained reaction product, it was predominantly in the 712 nm diameter granules. Reactivity in monocytes was confined to ovoid or tubular-shaped granules. No reactivity was observed at pH 9.0.

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.

The demonstration of arylsulfatases with 4-nitro-1,2-benzenediol mono(hydrogen sulfate) by the formation of osmium blacks at the sites of copper capture

A new method is described for the direct cytochemical demonstration of lysosomal arylsulfatases utilizing a synthetic substrate, 4-nitro-1,2-benzenediol mono(hydrogen sulfate), and a copper capture reaction. A small amount of Hatchett's brown (cupric ferrocyanide, Cu2Fe(CN)6-7 H2O) formed at the subcellular sites of copper capture is then utilized as a heterogeneous catalyst to effect the oxidative polymerization of 3,3'-diaminobenzidine which results in the formation of an insoluble, highly colored osmiophilic indamine polymer at the sites of enzymatic activity. The reaction product even at this stage prior to osmication is highly visible. It is readily seen with a light microscope in 50 mum sections of fixed tissues prepared with a mechanical chopper or in 10 micron cryostat sections treated for arylsulfatase activity. Upon osmication, an electron-opaque osmium black is formed which is much less soluble than the products of either the lead or barium capture reactions currently used for the demonstration of arylsulfatase with the electron microscope. The selection of areas of plastic-embedded tissues for ultrathin sectioning is facilitated by the ready visibility of these osmium black end products on 1-2 mum plastic sections which can be studied with the light microscope. This method gives permanent specimens demonstrating arylsulfatases A or B in lysosomes and autophagic vacuoles. In addition, enzyme activity is seen occasionally in the Golgi region or lamellae of certain cells believed to be elaborating sulfated products. In these instances, it may be demonstrating sulfotransferase activity.