Ultrastructural localization of arylsulfatase B in mitochondria of epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted tubules of the rat kidney

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.

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.

Fine structural localization of arylsulfatase B activity in the rabbit blood platelets

Fine structural localization of arylsulfatase in the rabbit blood platelets has been investigated in this study. Among many cell organellae, reaction products were exclusively observed in the alpha granules of the platelets. Within the alpha granules, arylsulfatase activity appeared to localize in variable patterns, i.e. reaction products confined mainly at the peripheral region in many granules, while they deposited heavily throughout the granule matrices in some others. In a blood platelets, each alpha granule showed the different staining pattern which indicated more variable functional heterogeneity in the granules.

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.