The importance of protease histochemistry in pathology

Detection of Chymotrypsin by Optical and Acoustic Methods

Chymotrypsin is an important proteolytic enzyme in the human digestive system that cleaves milk proteins through the hydrolysis reaction, making it an interesting subject to study the activity of milk proteases. In this work, we compared detection of chymotrypsin by spectrophotometric dynamic light scattering (DLS) and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) methods and determined the limit of chymotrypsin detection (LOD), 0.15 ± 0.01 nM for spectrophotometric, 0.67 ± 0.05 nM for DLS and 1.40 ± 0.30 nM for QCM methods, respectively. The sensors are relatively cheap and are able to detect chymotrypsin in 3035 min. While the optical detection methods are simple to implement, the QCM method is more robust for sample preparation, and allows detection of chymotrypsin in non-transparent samples. We give an overview on methods and instruments for detection of chymotrypsin and other milk proteases.

Leukocyte cathepsin C deficiency attenuates atherosclerotic lesion progression by selective tuning of innate and adaptive immune responses

OBJECTIVE

The protein degrading activity of cathepsin C (CatC), combined with its role in leukocyte granule activation, suggests a contribution of this cystein protease in atherosclerosis. However, no experimental data are available to validate this concept.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

CatC gene and protein expression were increased in ruptured versus advanced stable human carotid artery lesions. To assess causal involvement of CatC in plaque progression and stability, we generated LDLr(-/-)//CatC(-/-) chimeras by bone marrow transplantation. CatC(-/-) chimeras presented attenuated plaque burden in carotids, descending aorta, aortic arch and root, at both the early and advanced plaque stage. CatC was abundantly expressed by plaque macrophages and foam cells. CatC expression and activity were dramatically downregulated in plaques of CatC(-/-) chimeras, supporting a hematopoietic origin of plaque CatC. Our studies unveiled an unexpected feedback of CatC deficiency on macrophage activation programs and T helper cell differentiation in as much as that CatC expression was upregulated in M1 macrophages, whereas its deficiency led to combined M2 (in vitro) and Th2 polarization (in vivo).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data implicate CatC has a role in the selective tuning of innate and adaptive immune responses, relevant to a chronic immune disease, such as atherosclerosis.

On the origin of serum CD26 and its altered concentration in cancer patients

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV), assigned to the CD26 cluster, is expressed on epithelial cells and lymphocytes and is a multifunctional or pleiotropic protein. Its peptidase activity causes degradation of many biologically active peptides, e.g. some incretins secreted by the enteroendocrine system. DPP-IV has, therefore, become a novel therapeutic target for inhibitors that extend endogenously produced insulin half-life in diabetics, and several reviews have appeared in recent months concerning the clinical significance of CD26/DPP-IV. Biological fluids contain relatively high levels of soluble CD26 (sCD26). The physiological role of sCD26 and its relation, if any, to CD26 functions, remain poorly understood because whether the process for CD26 secretion and/or shedding from cell membranes is regulated or not is not known. Liver epithelium and lymphocytes are often cited as the most likely source of sCD26. It is important to establish which tissue or organ is the protein source as well as the circumstances that can provoke an abnormal presence/absence or altered levels in many diseases including cancer, so that sCD26 can be validated as a clinical marker or a therapeutic target. For example, we have previously reported low levels of sCD26 in the blood of colorectal cancer patients, which indicated the potential usefulness of the protein as a biomarker for this cancer in early diagnosis, monitoring and prognosis. Through this review, we envisage a role for sCD26 and the alteration of normal peptidase capacity (in clipping enteroendocrine or other peptides) in the complex crosstalk between the lymphoid lineage and, at least, some malignant tumours.

Dipeptidyl peptidase II (DPPII), a review

An increasing number of biological processes appear to be regulated by Pro-specific N-terminal processing. The proline-specific dipeptidyl peptidases (DPPs) like DPPIV, fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAP), DPPII, DPP8 and DPP9, because of their preference for cleavage after X-Pro in vitro, are likely to be involved in many of these processes. These DPPs are emerging as an important protease family with roles in the regulation of signaling by peptide hormones. Dipeptidyl peptidase II (DPPII, E.C. 3.4.14.2) is an intracellular protease that localizes to the vesicular system. It releases, preferably at acidic pH, N-terminal dipeptides from oligopeptides with Pro or Ala in the penultimate position. Despite the fact that the physiological role of DPPII still has not been elucidated, several suggestions were made on possible functions of the enzyme depending on its localization in different cells, body fluids and organs. DPPII was a.o. suggested to be involved in the processes of cell differentiation and in the protection from cell death, and to have a role in the degradation of collagen fragments, myofibrillar proteins and short neuropeptides. Moreover, changes in the level and distribution of the enzyme provided clues indicating additional roles in disease-related processes. Here we review the DPPII literature, aiming to bring more clarity in the disperse data on this subject and give a state of the art on DPPII research.

Dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV in the cytologic diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma

Recently, the demonstration of DAP IV activity in thyroid cells aspirates has been proposed as an useful tool for the diagnosis of malignancy. We have studied the enzymatic activity of DAP IV, using the modified method of Lodja, in a series of 336 selected aspirates of the thyroid gland with the following cytologic diagnosis: 236 nodular hyperplasias, 60 follicular proliferations, eight Hashimoto's thyroiditis, eight Hürthe-cell proliferations, 20 papillary carcinomas, two anaplastic carcinomas, and two medullary carcinomas. The results were subjectively evaluated on the basis of staining intensity and extension in a minimum of 200 cells. Strong-to-moderate enzymatic activity with an extension of more than 40% of the cells were exclusively seen in follicular-cell derived carcinomas (papillary carcinoma, Hürthle-cell carcinoma, and follicular carcinoma). Medullary carcinoma, anaplastic carcinoma, and benign conditions were negative or weakly stained. Cytohistologic correlation in 88 patients operated on showed the following results: 26 nodular hyperplasia (18 nodular hyperplasia and eight follicular adenomas), 36 follicular proliferation (24 nodular hyperplasia, six, adenomas, three papillary carcinomas, three follicular carcinomas), two Hürthle-cell proliferation (one Hürthle-cell adenoma and one Hürthle-cell carcinoma), 20 papillary carcinomas, two medullary carcinomas, and two anaplastic carcinomas. DAP IV staining was moderate to strong and extensive in all malignant tumors initially diagnosed as follicular or Hürthle-cell proliferations. We conclude that DAP IV activity is present in malignant differentiated thyroid tumors of follicular cells (papillary carcinoma, follicular carcinoma, Hürthle-cell carcinoma), but it is identified neither in medullary carcinoma nor in anaplastic carcinoma. Therefore, its usefulness is restricted to the diagnosis of follicular-cell malignancies.

The use of substrates with 7-amino-3-trifluoromethylcoumarine (AFC) leaving group in the localization of protease activities in situ

A method for the localization of activities of proteases using substrates with 7-amino-3-trifluoromethylcoumarine (AFC) leaving group is described. 0.1 ml of 5-20 mMol solution of the respective substrate (Gly-Pro-AFC, Ala-Pro-AFC, Z-Ala-Arg-Arg-AFC, Z-Gly-Arg-Arg-AFC, Z-Gly-Gly-Arg-AFC, D-Val-Leu-Lys-AFC) in dimethylsulfoxide or dimethylformamide was added to 0.9 ml of 0.1 M Tris-HCl buffer, pH 7.4-7.8 or 0.1 M cacodylate buffer, pH 5-5.5. In the case of Z-Ala-Arg-Arg-AFC (cathepsin B substrate) 15 mM EDTA and 12 mM dithiothreitol were added. 7 mM amiloride or 2 mg/1 ml aprotinin were used as inhibitors with Z-Gly-Gly-Arg-AFC (urokinase substrate) and with D-Val-Leu-Lys-AFC (plasmin substrate). Substrate solutions were mixed with an equal amount of 2% agar solution in distilled water or in the respective buffer the pH of which was adjusted according to the pH optimum of the enzyme to be demonstrated. The agar solution was kept in a water bath at a temperature of 50-60 degrees C. After careful mixing, the substrate solution in agar was poured into a cylindrical vessel closed with a semipermeable membrane (Nephrophan) on which unfixed cryostat sections were mounted. 1-5 mM AFC solution in dimethylsulfoxide or dimethylformamide instead of the substrate was used as the control. Quenched samples of rat kidney and jejunum, biopsies of human jejunal mucosa, and of colorectal and uterine tumors were employed for the preparation of sections. After gelification of the medium in a refrigerator the vessels with sections were incubated in the dark at 37 degrees C for 0.5-several h. The reaction was controlled in a fluorescence microscope with an epiillumination adjusted to the FITC fluorescence and documented. A yellowish green fluorescence depicts sites where AFC was set free (sites with enzyme activity). When the reaction reached the required intensity the membranes were cut off, transferred to glass slides, mounted in glycerol, observed and photographed immediately (due to the solubility of AFC in glycerol). An acceptable cellular localization was achieved. The method with AFC substrates can be recommended for comparative biochemical and histochemical studies of proteases using the same substrate and for cases in which no other reliable procedure for the localization of the respective enzyme activity is available (e.g. urokinase, plasmin).

Enzyme histochemical studies of membrane proteases in rat subfornical organ

Localization of membrane proteases glutamyl aminopeptidase (EAP), microsomal alanyl aminopeptidase (mAAP), dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) were studied in vessels of the rat subfornical organ (SFO), ependyma which cover the surface of the SFO, and adjacent brain structures. Results of enzyme histochemical reactions showed strong activity for EAP, mAAP, and gamma-GTP, but absence of DPP IV in microvessels of SFO. The ependyma which cover the SFO was positive for gamma-GTP, but negative for other studied proteases. Our results showed that the spectrum of enzymes in the majority of the vessels of SFO is similar to that of the microvessels of the adjacent brain tissue which were positive for EAP, mAAP, and gamma-GTP, but negative for DPP IV. The relative intensity of the enzyme reactions in vessels varied from central to lateral locations in the SFO and the adjacent brain tissue. There was also a difference in the relative reaction intensity from one enzyme to the other. The presence and heterogeneous distribution of the enzymes are consistent with the hypothesis that membrane proteases of the microvascular endothelium constitute an enzyme-barrier between blood and parenchyma of the SFO and between blood and brain tissue, and may be involved in metabolism or modulation of various peptides when they contact the plasma membrane of the endothelial cells of the vessels.

Activation of thrombin-inactivated single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator by dipeptidyl peptidase I (cathepsin C)

Single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (scu-PA) is inactivated by thrombin, which cleaves the peptide bond between Arg156 and Phe157. In a search for potential activators of thrombin-cleaved two-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (tcu-PA/T), we found that the lysosomal aminopeptidase dipeptidyl-peptidase I or cathepsin C efficiently activates tcu-PA/T. Cathepsin C was as active towards tcu-PA/T as the bacterial proteinase thermolysin and about 300-times more active than plasmin. The activation by cathepsin C proceeded in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner with a pH optimum between 5 and 7. Furthermore, the effect of cathepsin C was inhibited by cystatin and stimulated by cysteine, typical for the action of a thiol proteinase. As no degradation of the tcu-PA/T molecule by cathepsin C was visible on SDS/PAGE, we suggest that activation of tcu-PA/T occurs by cleavage between Lys158-Ile159 and removal of the two N-terminal amino acid residues (Phe157-Lys158) of the B chain of tcu-PA/T. We conclude that both thrombin and dipeptidyl-peptidases like cathepsin C might play a regulatory role in the plasminogen-plasmin system by inactivating scu-PA and activating tcu-PA/T, respectively.

The histochemical pattern of mechanically or chemically injured rabbit cornea after aprotinin treatment: relationships with the plasmin concentration of the tear fluid

Plasmin, a serine protease, was recently found to be involved in corneal ulcerative processes in humans and rabbits. In our experiments, plasmin activity was found in the tear fluid after mechanical and chemical damage of the rabbit cornea, such as de-epithelization and burning with alkali. The plasmin concentrations in the tear fluid were dependent on the severity of injury. The highest plasmin activity (2.0-3.0 micrograms ml-1) occurred after severe alkali damage to large areas of the cornea, and the lowest activity (0.4-1.0 micrograms ml-1) after mechanical injury (de-epithelization). Plasmin concentrations up to 1.0 micrograms ml-1 were associated with increased activities of lysosomal hydrolases in epithelial cells and keratocytes beneath the epithelium. Plasmin activities increased as the inflammatory reaction developed. When plasmin activity in the tear fluid was higher than 1.0 micrograms ml-1, inflammatory cells were found in the corneal stroma. Levels of 1.5-2.0 micrograms ml-1 were connected with higher numbers of inflammatory cells (particularly polymorphonuclear leukocytes) with increased activities of lysosomal hydrolases. Very high plasmin activities (2.5-3.0 micrograms ml-1) accompanied corneal ulcerative processes. The local application of aprotinin (Trasylol, Bayer), an inhibitor of plasmin, and also of some other proteases, was found to be necessary for the healing of severe corneal injuries in which highly elevated plasmin activity in the tear fluid and inflammatory cellulization of the cornea occurred (severe damage).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The activity of dipeptidyl peptidase II and dipeptidyl peptidase IV in mice immunized with type II collagen

We investigated the activity of peptidases in the serum of mice with experimental polyarthritis that was induced by the injection of type II collagen, an experimental model of human rheumatoid arthritis. The activity of dipeptidyl peptidase II (DPP II) was increased and that of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) was decreased resulting in the significant increase of the serum DPP II/DPP IV ratio in the polyarthritic mice compared with that of controls. These results indicate that the DPP II/DPP IV ratio is a novel index of disease activity in mice with collagen-induced polyarthritis and may be useful in assessing the activity of rheumatoid arthritis in humans.

Histochemical changes in the rabbit cornea and plasmin activity in the tear fluid during contact lens wear. Favourable influence of protease inhibitors (aprotinin, PC5, elastatinal)

Plasmin activity in the tear fluid of the rabbit eye was examined during the wearing of soft contact lenses (SCL) and compared with the occurrence of corneal disturbances assessed in cryostat sections. Plasmin activity was determined with a semiquantitative method using dry punches of filter paper previously soaked in 0.1 M Tris-HCl buffer solution containing mmol/l D-Val-Leu-Lys-FCA (trifluoromethylaminocoumarine), pH 7.2. Punches were applied to the corneal surface for 5 s (tear collection) and incubated in wet chamber. The time of appearance of the bright yellow fluorescence in UV light was recorded and taken as a measure of plasmin activity. For calibration punches soaked in solutions containing plasmin in various concentrations, and processed in the same manner were used. Changes in the cornea were examined histochemically using methods of choice for acid glycosidases, proteases, dehydrogenases, and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. SCL with high and low water content were worn in rabbits in 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Decreased activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, GGT, and SDH in the corneal endothelium and epithelium were not accompanied by detectable plasmin activity in the tear fluid. Pronounced damage of the corneal epithelium (increased activities of acid glycosidases, acid proteases, LDH, markedly decreased activity of SDH) was accompanied by low concentration of plasmin (0.4-1.0 micrograms/ml) in the tear fluid. Middle activity of plasmin (1.0-2.0 micrograms/ml) was detectable when PMNs were present in the corneal stroma. High plasmin activity (2.0-3.0 micrograms/ml) correlated with corneal ulceration and vascularization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparative immunohistochemistry and histochemistry of dipeptidyl peptidase IV in rat organs during development

The occurrence of dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) IV during development in Wistar rat organs was studied on day 10, 16 and 21 of gestation and on day 1, 4, 8, 13, 21, 26 and 60 after birth comparing immunohistochemistry and activity histochemistry. A polyclonal antibody, as well as monoclonal antibodies recognizing four different epitopes (A-D) of the DPP IV molecule, were employed for the immunohistochemical studies. In all investigated tissues, immunoreactivity with the polyclonal antibody appeared earlier than DPP IV activity and was already present on day 10 of gestation in the plasma membranes of embryonic and extraembryonic (decidual) cells. At these and other sites, e.g. brain capillary endothelium and tracheal or bronchial epithelium, immunoreactivity with the polyclonal antibody decreased or disappeared after birth and enzyme activity never developed. Immunoreactivity with the monoclonal antibodies appeared later than that with the polyclonal antibody, and mostly in those structures where DPP IV activity was subsequently found. The monoclonal antibody against epitope D showed a high reactivity in the epididymal duct, renal collecting ducts and in all domains of the hepatocyte plasma membrane, where neither DPP IV activity nor immunoreactivity with the other antibodies were observed. Our results also suggest that DPP IV might be present as a molecule before it becomes catalytically active and that immunoreactivity occurs at more sites than DPP IV activity. However, it cannot be excluded that the polyclonal antibody and the monoclonal antibody against the epitope D cross-react with as yet uncharacterized proteins, which express common epitopes during embryonic development, but are not present in the tissues of adult Wistar rats.

CD26 antigen is a surface dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) as characterized by monoclonal antibodies clone TII-19-4-7 and 4EL1C7

In this study we investigated the binding of three different monoclonal antibodies (MoAb), TII 19-4-7, 4EL1C7, and B1.19.2, which are clustered in CD26 to the ectoenzyme dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) and to T lymphocytes. We found that all three MoAb bind to both unstimulated and mitogen-stimulated T lymphocytes. Further results indicated an inconsistency within the CD26-clustered MoAb: TII 19-4-7 and 4EL1C7, but not B1.19.2, recognized DPP IV on the surface o T lymphocytes and immobilized on solid-phase ELISA or Western blot. There was competition of binding to DPP IV between TII 19-4-7 and 4EL1C7. From these results we conclude that CD26 antigen is represented by the ectoenzyme DPP IV. TII 19-4-7 and 4EL1C7 recognize the same or partly identical epitopes on DPP IV, whereas B1.19.2 recognizes a different antigen. TII 19-4-7 and 4EL1C7, but not B1.19.2, should be clustered in CD26.

Histochemical study of alkali-burned rabbit anterior eye segment in which severe lesions were prevented by aprotinin treatment

Activities of different enzymes (acid glycosidases, phosphatases, Na+ - K+ -dependent ATPase, proteases, dehydrogenases) and acid glycosaminoglycans were studied by histochemical methods in sections of rabbit anterior eye segments after experimental alkali burn and treatment with aprotinin, an inhibitor of plasmin and other serine proteinases. Solutions of sodium hydroxide (0.25-1.0 M) were applied on corneas using 12-mm-diameter plastic tube for 15-60 s. After wiping with cotton and rinsing with tap water aprotinin solutions were applied in saline (in experimental animals) and saline (in control animals) dropwise in 12-h intervals for a month. Within the first two weeks aprotinin was used at a concentration of 5000 IU/ml. During the subsequent two weeks the aprotinin concentration was reduced to 2500 IU/ml. Striking differences in enzyme activities and in the healing between treated and untreated eyes were found. Without aprotinin, ulcers developed in most corneas within 3 weeks and plasmin was regularly demonstrated in tears and in the aqueous. When aprotinin treatment was started within 24 h after the burn, the number of enzymatically active inflammatory cells was significantly lower, not only in the cornea itself but also in the whole anterior eye segment. With aprotinin treatment no ulcerations and no plasmin in tears and the aqueous were observed and the corneas healed within a month. The healing process started from the zone of enzymatically activated corneal cells in the unburned zone at the corneal periphery. In the regenerating epithelium and endothelium high activities of Na+ -K+ -dependent ATPase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, lactate and succinate dehydrogenases appeared very soon.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Reaction rate measurements of proteases and glycosidases with chromogenic methods

Simultaneous azo-coupling and indigogenic methods were evaluated for the quantitative histochemical assay of the plasma membrane proteases gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (EC 2.3.2.2) and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (EC 3.4.14.5) and the glycosidases maltase-glucoamylase and glucoamylase (EC 3.2.1.20) in decidual cells, jejunal enterocytes and renal proximal tubulocytes. Using kinetic (continuous) microdensitometry, a linear increase in the final reaction product was found from 3 up to 10 min, depending on the substrate concentration and the plasma membrane glycosidase or protease under investigation. Combined continuous and end point (static) microdensitometry revealed a linear relationship between the section thickness (enzyme concentration) and final reaction product up to 12 microns for the proteases and up to 16 microns for the glycosidases. Apparent Km and Vmax values were calculated with a computerized version of the direct linear plot and compared with the results obtained with the linear transformations according to Lineweaver-Burk, Eadie-Hofstee and Hanes. Apparent Km and Vmax values for the proteases were calculated separately for each animal and were 1.82 mM and 1.02 mM and 2.43 arbitrary units (a.u.) and 1.67 a.u. (gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, decidua) and 0.42 mM and 0.38 mM and 0.29 and 0.26 a.u. (dipeptidyl peptidase IV, decidua). For the alpha-D-glucosidases, the corresponding values were 0.23 mM and 0.15 a.u. (kidney) and 0.55 mM and 0.20 a.u. (jejunum). The results show the suitability of the indigogenic methods for quantitative histochemical measurements of plasma membrane alpha-D-glucosidases, whereas the simultaneous azo-coupling procedures seemed to be less suitable for the quantification of surface membrane proteases, due to, for example, interactions of diazonium salts with amino acid or peptide substrates, reaction products and peptide activators.

Cytochemical analysis of single villus peptidase activities in pig intestine during neonatal development

The present work uses a new technique of whole tissue cytochemistry and automated scanning to obtain measurements of peptidase activity and surface structure in intact villi microdissected from the jejunum of newborn and 28-day-old pigs. Intact villi from 28-day-old pigs are shown by this method to contain 30% more aminopeptidase N and 400% more dipeptidylpeptidase IV activity than is found on villi taken from newborn pig intestine. Villi taken from 28-day-old pig intestine are also half as long and twice as wide at their base as those taken from newborn animals. These changes in shape take place without significantly affecting the total surface area of the villus. Increases in peptidase activities occurring during postnatal development can be further subdivided into those dependent upon induced changes in enterocyte biochemistry and those dependent upon the changing geometry of villi. Over 90% of the total increase in peptidase activities occurring during neonatal development was shown, by this analysis, to involve enterocyte reprogramming of enzyme production. The present method of whole tissue cytochemistry appears to combine successfully the ability to measure peptidase activities at the cellular level in undisrupted tissue with a facility to relate these results to the overall shape of a single villus. These and more general applications of the method now provide new ways to analyse a variety of changes taking place in intestinal structure and function in a quantitative manner.

A new approach to enzyme histochemical analysis of biopsy specimens

A novel technique combining the freeze drying and embedding in glycol methacrylate at low temperature of tissue permitted the histochemical demonstration of a variety of enzymes, showing maintenance of enzyme activity, accurate enzyme localisation without apparent diffusion, and excellent morphological detail. The results obtained with this new approach were superior to standard techniques used for both enzyme histochemical and morphological studies. Moreover, blocks of the embedded tissue were stored for at least one year at room temperature without loss of enzyme activity. This method should find a wide range of applications in histopathology.

A kinetic fluorometric assay of dipeptidyl peptidase IV in viable human blood mononuclear cells

A continuous-rate fluorometric assay of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP-IV) in viable human blood mononuclear cells using 7-(L-glycyl-L-prolylamido)-4-methylcoumarin as the substrate is described. The assay method is accurate, rapid, and highly sensitive for measuring the level of cell-surface bound DP-IV activity in suspension of blood mononuclear cells, as well as of other viable cells bearing this enzyme. We believe that the kinetic assay is suitable for studying the regulation of expression and the role of plasma membrane-bound DP-IV on the cellular level.

Are Z-Arg-Gly-Phe-Phe-Leu-MNA and Z-Arg-Gly-Phe-Phe-Pro-MNA suitable substrates for the demonstration of cathepsin D activity?

The suitability of Z-Arg-Gly-Phe-Phe-Leu-MNA and Z-Arg-Gly-Phe-Phe-Pro-MNA for the assessment of cathepsin D activity was tested in biochemical and histochemical experiments. Substrates were dissolved in dimethylformamide and used at 0.1-0.5 mM in various buffers over a pH range of 3.5-7.4. Homogenates of various rat organs and isolated purified enzymes [cathepsin D from bovine spleen, dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) IV from porcine kidney and rat lung] were used as enzyme sources. Pepstatin, di-isopropylfluorophosphate (DFP), p-chloromercuribenzoate, o-phenanthroline and a series of DPP IV inhibitors were used in inhibitor experiments. At pH 3.5 and 5.0, substrates were used in a two-step postcoupling procedure with aminopeptidase M and dipeptidyl peptidase IV as auxiliary enzymes and Fast Blue BB as coupling agent. Results were compared with those obtained with haemoglobin. Above pH 5.0 substrates were used in a one-step postcoupling procedure. Cryostat sections of snap-frozen or cold aldehyde-fixed tissue pieces of various rat organs and biopsies of human jejunal mucosa were used in histochemical experiments. As in biochemical tests a two-step procedure was used in the pH range 3.5-5.0, but Fast Blue B was used in the second step for the simultaneous coupling. Above pH 5.0 a one-step simultaneous azo coupling procedure was used with Fast Blue B as coupling agent. At pH 3.5 the hydrolysis rate of both synthetic substrates was about 100x lower than that of haemoglobin when cathepsin D from bovine spleen was used.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A comparison between activities for non-specific esterases and esterproteases

Electrophoretic separation of non-specific esterases and esterproteases from kidney, lung, and liver have been carried out in polyacrylamide gels. By use of zone electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, and 2-dimensional electrophoresis it was found that most of the esterprotease bands had the same localization in the gels as non-specific esterase bands. A number of esterase bands showed no activity towards the esterprotease substrates and a single kidney band possessed esterprotease activity only. Isozymes of the ES-6 and ES-9 zones showed sex dependent esterprotease reactions. In sections esterase activity was located to all parts of the proximal tubule. In male kidneys, esterprotease activity was present in the 2nd segment of the convoluted tubule which is not connected to glomeruli and in the descending part of the proximal tubule. In female kidney only the descending part of the proximal tubule showed esterprotease activity.

Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) IV in rat organs. Comparison of immunohistochemistry and activity histochemistry

Immunohistochemistry and activity histochemistry were used to study the localization of dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) IV in rats. For immunohistochemistry, polyclonal as well as monoclonal anti-DPP IV antibodies were employed. The pattern of DPP IV immunoreactivity, determined with polyclonal anti-DPP IV antibody, corresponds to the histochemical pattern found for the enzymic activity of DPP IV. Immunoreactivity was present, in addition, in nerve cells, lateral membranes of certain surface epithelia, e.g., Fallopian tube, uterus and vesicular gland, in the luminal cytoplasm of e.g., vesicular gland epithelium, and in mucous cells of Brunner's gland. The monoclonal antibodies against DPP IV recognized four different epitopes (A-D) of the DPP IV molecule, and revealed that certain epitopes were not detectable by immunohistochemistry in some organs. Generally, the staining intensities for epitopes A, B, C and D decreased in that order. Usually, the monoclonal antibodies against epitopes A and B showed similar reaction patterns to those as obtained with the polyclonal antibody. Epitope D was recognized in the lumen of the duct system of exocrine glands and the intestine. Furthermore, high reactivity of this epitope was detected in goblet cells of the intestine, where no DPP IV activity was present.

Dipeptidyl peptidases in the soleus muscle of the rat before and after treatment with 5-hydroxytryptamine

A moderate peptidase activity against L-lysyl-L-proline-4-methoxy-beta-napththylamide was detected histochemically in unfixed sections of soleus muscle fibres of inbred male Wistar rats using two variants of the semipermeable membrane technique. One variant involved simultaneous coupling with tetrazotised 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine, the other post-coupling. The activity at pH 6 increased approximately three-fold in many fibres showing signs of insult in rats that had been given a single low dose of 5-hydroxytryptamine (10 mg/kg body weight) 48-72 h earlier. The hydroxytryptamine treatment was found to induce a selective myopathy. Some of the increased peptidase activity within insulted muscle fibres appeared to arise from invading mononuclear cells, but the majority seemed endogenous to muscle fibres. The peptidase activity persisted in some fibres 21-28 days after 5-hydroxytryptamine administration, by which time the whole muscle appeared histologically normal. The variation of the activity of the peptidase with pH in the presence of various inhibitors was investigated in both control and insulted muscle fibres. From its sensitivity and behaviour towards Zn2+, Hg2+, Cu2+, puromycin, benzethonium chloride and phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride and its indifference towards Co2+, Cd2+, Mn2+ and o-phenanthroline, it is concluded that the activity can be attributed to a mixture of at least two peptidases, dipeptidyl peptidase II and an unidentified neutral dipeptidyl peptidase. The possible role of the peptidase(s) in muscle regeneration in discussed.