Lysosomal aryl sulphatase in the liver

Aryl sulfatase activity in mouse molar odontogenesis

Arylsulfatase activity has been studied in the developing molar of the Swiss albino mouse from the lamina stage to the appositional stage. Timed-pregnant Swiss albino mice were utilized in this study. Females were sacrificed by ether anesthesia and fetuses extirpated or newborns anesthetized and decapitated. Frozen sections were fixed and incubated for arylsulfatase activity according to a modification of the method of PEARSE (1972). The tissue was dehydrated, cleared and covered. Phase light microscopy was utilized in evaluating arylsulfatase activity in the developing molar. Arylsulfatase activity was evaluated for each stage of development and the results presented in tabular form. The present investigation represents the first known effort to describe arylsulfatase activity in odontogenic tissues from the initiation of the dental lamina through the appositional stage. Arylsulfatase activity appeared to be related to the degree of vascularization of the developing enamel organ and adnexa and the beginning of hard tissue elaboration.

Problems associated with the assay of arylsulphatases A and B of rat tissues

A method for the separation and purification of rat liver arylsulphatases A and B by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 is described. The properties of the A enzyme and its molecular weight are similar to those of the corresponding ox liver enzyme. The B enzymes were found to be dissimilar. The method already developed for the assay of the corresponding enzymes from human tissues was shown to be unsuitable for the assay of the enzymes of rat tissues. A method of assay was developed which permits an approximate determination of the individual rat liver enzymes in a mixture of the two, but precise determination requires prior separation of the enzymes by gel-filtration chromatography.

Methods for the Study of Embryotrophic Nutrition

In Early post-implantation stages of development, before the establishment of an intimate relationship between the maternal and foetal circulations, embryonic nutrition is carried out largely by the breakdown of macro-molecules in certain phagocytic extra-embryonic membranes. This communication is concerned with defining histochemica, electron microscopic and biochemical parameters which make it possible to identify the membranes concerned. In vivo and in vitro systems for the measurement of the amount of macromolecular breakdown occurring in certain foetal membranes are presented. It is suggested that interference with these catabolic processes may produce congenital malformations or result in abortion of the conceptus.