Studies on acid hydrolases in adult and foetal tissues. Acid rho-nitrophenyl phosphate phosphohydrolases of adult guinea-pig liver

In Silico and In Vitro Methods in the Characterization of Beta-Carotene as Pharmaceutical Material via Acetylcholine Esterase Inhibitory Actions

Molecular docking is widely used in the assessment of the therapeutic potential of pharmaceutical agents. The binding properties of beta-carotene (BC) to acetylcholine esterase (AChE) proteins were characterized using the molecular docking method. The mechanism of AChE inhibition was assessed by an experimental in vitro kinetic study. In addition, the role of BC action was tested by the zebrafish embryo toxicity test (ZFET). The results of the docking ability of BC to AChE showed significant ligand binding mode. The kinetic parameter, i.e., the low AICc value shown as the compound was the competitive type of inhibition of AChE. Further, BC also showed mild toxicity at a higher dose (2200 mg/L) in ZFET assessment with changes in biomarkers. The LC₅₀ value of BC is 1811.94 mg/L. Acetylcholine esterase (AChE) plays a pivotal role in the hydrolysis of acetylcholine, which leads to the development of cognitive dysfunction. BC possesses the regulation of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and acid phosphatase (AP) activity to prevent neurovascular dysfunction. Therefore, the characterization of BC could be used as a pharmaceutical agent for the treatment of cholinergic neurotoxicity-associated neurovascular disorders such as developmental toxicity, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer's disease due to its AChE and AP inhibitory actions.

Specificity and multiple forms of beta-galactosidase in the rat

1. Ten rat tissues and organs have been assayed for beta-galactosidase with phenyl beta-d-galactoside, p-nitrophenyl beta-d-galactoside, p-aminophenyl beta-d-galactoside and 4-methylumbelliferyl beta-d-galactoside as substrates. 2. The relative activities of these tissues are independent of the mode of assay, and maximum rates of hydrolysis are not greatly affected by the nature of the substrate. 3. Inhibition studies suggest the liver enzyme has no associated beta-glucosidase activity. 4. There is no cellular localization of preferential activity towards any of the four substrates in liver, kidney or spleen. 5. Evidence suggesting the non-destructive penetration of liver lysosomal membranes by p-nitrophenyl beta-d-galactoside is presented. 6. Liver lysosomal beta-galactosidase exists in multiple forms that can be separated on DEAE-cellulose, and the enzyme components that are bound to the membrane appear to be similar to those of the lysosome sap. 7. The chromatographic pattern of enzyme excreted in the urine is compared with those from the kidney, intestine, spleen and liver.

Acid phosphatases in mammalian tissues. Evidence for the existence of a 57 kDa Zn(2+)-dependent acid phosphatase form

1. A comparative study of multiple forms of acid phosphatase (AcPase) in various organs of mammals was carried out. 2. These studies indicated that the high-molecular weight AcPase is preferentially expressed by tissues which undergo cell proliferation such as epithelial tissues; on the contrary, the low-molecular weight enzyme seems to be characteristic of highly differentiated tissues such as nervous, muscle and blood erythrocytes. 3. The existence of a new AcPase activated by Zn2+ ions was observed in all tissues studied with the exception of erythrocytes. 4. The enzyme shows a molecular weight of 57 kDa, is insensitive to NaF, hydrolyzes p-nitro-phenylphosphate and o-c-phenylphosphate; ATP, a-naphthyl-phosphate and beta-glycerolphosphate are also dephosphorylated.

High endocytotic and lysosomal activities in segments of rat myotubes differentiated in vitro

Endocytosis and the lysosome system have been studied in rat myotubes differentiated in vitro. Horseradish peroxidase was used as marker for endocytosis and was found to accumulate unevenly in the myotubes. Small segments of myotubes display very high endocytotic activity. Similar segments contained numerous lysosomes, as seen by the accumulation of neutral red or histochemical staining for acid phosphatase. The segments also contained accumulations of acetylcholine receptors as determined by binding of tetramethyl rhodamine-labelled alpha-bungarotoxin. Unstained segments in living cultures could be recognized by phase-contrast microscopy since they often appeared somewhat dilated and were not as well spread on the culture surface as the main parts of the myotubes. Ultrastructurally, the segments contained an intensely proliferating tubular system in communication with the extracellular space, which therefore probably represents the developing transverse tubular system. The segments also contained endocytosed marker within large phagosomes. Contractile filaments occurred in the segments but were frequently less well-organized than in other parts of the myotubes. The described characteristics of the segments in rat myotubes differentiated in vitro bear resemblance to some of the characteristics of the denervated endplate region of adult muscle.

Mitochondrial biogenesis: do liver mitochondria contain glycoproteins and glycosyltransferases?

1. Subcellular fractions isolated from livers of 19-day-old chicken embryos were analyzed in order to assess whether liver mitochondria contained glycosylated proteins or had mannosyl- or sialyl-transferases that could transfer sugars to mitochondrial macromolecules. 2. Proteins in liver mitochondrial membranes and matrix fractions were screened for their affinities for concanavalin A (Con A). 3. After separation by gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions, a significant number of the proteins bound [125I]Con A, and the binding of the lectin was substantially inhibited by alpha-methyl-D-mannoside. 4. In addition, radio-iodinated matrix proteins were screened for lectin-binding properties by chromatography on Con A covalently linked to agarose. 5. A number of proteins, representing 14% of those loaded onto the column, became tightly bound to the agarose-linked lectin, and the molecular weights of several of those proteins are reported. 6. Mannosyltransferase activities were measured in fractions highly enriched for mitochondria. 7. In the reactions, mannose was transferred from guanosine diphosphomannose to materials insoluble in 0.3% trichloroacetic acid or in chloroform:methanol (2:1). 8. The fractions also catalyzed the transfer of mannose to materials extractable in chloroform:methanol and which migrated with the Rf of dolichol phosphate on Silica Gel H. 9. Dolichol phosphate stimulated the transfer of mannose to those materials extractable in the organic solvents. 10. Marker enzyme analyses indicated that the mannosyl transferase activity in the mitochondrial fraction could not be accounted for entirely by contaminating microsomal membranes. 11. Although sialyltransferase activity was detected also in the mitochondrial fractions, the levels of the activity and the kinetics of the reactions indicated that Golgi membranes were most likely the sources of the enzyme.

Testosterone propionate induced changes in testicular phosphatases of musk shrew (Suncus murinus L.)

In order to investigate the role of testosterone (TP) on the physiology of the testis of the musk shrew, activities of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and adenosine triphosphatase, and DNA, protein and phospholipid contents ot the testis were compared under high and suppressed testosterone conditions. The result indicates that testosterone propionate administration to intact shrews resulted in a significant increase in the activities of testicular enzymes. Following TP the testis phospholipid: DNA ratio increased, whilst no change was observed in the enzyme activities in response to aminoglutethimide phosphate. The role of testosterone in regulating testis function of this non-scrotal primitive eutherian mammal is discussed.

A microsystem to assay lysosomal enzyme activities in cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells

A microsystem to assay the activity of lysosomal enzymes in a small number of cultured RPE cells is described. The activities of acid phosphatase, a-mannosidase, B-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-B-glucosaminidase were estimated in different human RPE cultures of varying passages. Some biochemical characteristics for each of the enzyme assays were studied including the effect of pH, the saturating concentrations of the appropriate substrates and the relationship between the enzyme activity and the number of cells assayed. The method presented is straightforward, avoids complicated tissue fractionation procedures and is able to estimate enzyme activities in as few as 10(4) cells.

Evidence of acid phosphatase in the cytoplasm as a distinct entity

A study of subcellular acid phosphatase distribution in mammalian tissues shows that isozymes with specific functions are compartmentalized in the cells. The enzyme may be generalized into two types: type A and type B. They are shown by several means to be distinct entities. Type A is confined to the cytoplasm and is inhibited by Cu2+, HCHO, and the coupling agents (for enzyme staining) fast blue RR salt and fast Garnet GBC salt (newly discovered inhibitors), but is insensitive to fluoride and L-(+)-tartrate. Type B is localized in the organelles, presumably lysosomes, in both soluble form and membrane-bound form, with inhibitor sensitivity exactly opposite to that of type A enzyme. Types A and B consist of different sets of isozymes, with sensitivities to inhibitors resembling those observed with the crude extracts of subcellular fractions. Acid phosphatase that exhibits a phosphoryl transfer property was identified as type A enzyme. Type A enzyme has a slightly higher optimal pH and is inhibited by alloxan, whereas for type B, the addition of alloxan broadens the optimal pH to a higher range and elevates the activity of pH 7.4 from negligible to about 30-40% of that obtained under optimal conditions. The alloxan-mediated elevation of type B enzyme activity to this level at the physiological pH may be of considerable significance. Type B enzyme has a high affinity for metabolic intermediates and nucleotides, while type A has an extremely low affinity for these substrates. Cytoplasmic acid phosphatase (type A) is a significant enzyme population and its activity is not related to the lysosome density in the cells. Type A enzyme in the cytoplasm is thus shown to be an entity distinctly different from type B enzyme in the lysosomes. These findings suggest that the physiological functions of type A acid phosphatase, such as metabolic regulatory processes, merit further studies because of the phosphoryl transfer activity and cytoplasmic localization of the enzyme.

Immunocytochemical demonstration of lysosomal matrix vesicles in the arterial wall of the rat

Following necrobiosis of the smooth muscle cells (SMC) of the vessel wall, lysosomes are still able to live for a time in the extracellular space. Here they are known as lysosomal matrix vesicles (MV). Their lysosomal origin can be confirmed by the immunocytochemical demonstration of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (beta-NAG) in extracellular MV. A positive reaction to the enzyme-cytochemical test for acid phosphatase establishes that these lysosomal MV are enzymatically active. The role of the lysosomal MV in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases is seen in an uncontrolled, locally limited destruction and alteration of the intercellular substance.

Cytotoxicity of the rare earth metals cerium, lanthanum, and neodymium in vitro: comparisons with cadmium in a pulmonary macrophage primary culture system

The rare earth metals cerium, lanthanum, and neodymium each were evaluated in an in vitro cytotoxicity assay system using adult, male Sprague-Dawley rat pulmonary alveolar macrophages. Both the soluble chloride form of these metals and their insoluble metal oxides were studied. For comparison purposes, the cytotoxicities of cadmium chloride and cadmium oxide were also quantified in this test system. In general, regardless of the cytotoxicity parameter measured, i.e., cell viability, lysosomal enzyme leakage, or changes in cell surface morphology, cadmium was more toxic to these cells than were the rare earth metals. Of the rare earth metals studied, only lanthanum chloride (LC50 = 52 microM), cerium chloride (LC50 = 29 microM), and neodymium oxide (LC50 = 101 microM) displayed significant cytotoxicity in this test system. Cadmium chloride exhibited an LC50 value of 28 microM, whereas the LC50 value for cadmium oxide was found to be 15 microM. These findings suggest that rare earth metal fumes should be considered as cytotoxic to lung tissue and therefore potentially fibrogenic.

Toxicity of cadmium chloride in vitro: indices of cytotoxicity with the pulmonary alveolar macrophage

Pulmonary alveolar macrophages were isolated from adult, male New Zealand white rabbits by bronchial lavage and exposed to cadmium chloride in vitro. The observed cell sensitivity to this metal was highly dependent upon the incubation conditions used as well as the cytotoxic index selected. An LC50 value, as measured by dye exclusion (erythrosin B), was determined to be 390 microM when these cells were exposed to cadmium in Ham's F12 culture medium for 8 hr at 35 degrees C. The presence of fetal calf serum in the medium (10%; v/v) enhanced this toxicity slightly, LC50 = 235 microM, as did raising the incubation temperature to 37 degrees C, LC50 = 201 microM. No effect on cadmium toxicity was observed when the culture medium was made deficient in Cu, Zn, and Fe, nor was there any effect observed when Hepes buffer was substituted for the bicarbonate/carbon dioxide buffering system. Measurements of cadmium-109 uptake by pulmonary alveolar macrophages were consistent with and could explain, at least in part, the above observations of cytotoxicity. In the standard culture system (an 8-hr exposure period at 35 degrees C in Ham's F12 culture medium plus serum), the appearance in the culture medium of two lysosomal enzyme activities, acid phosphatase and cathepsin D, paralleled cell death. In addition, an EC50 value of 102 microM was found for cadmium when cell respiration (O2 uptake) was measured; an EC50 value of 31 microM was found for cadmium when cell function (engulfment of killed yeast particles) was followed; and scanning electron microscopic studies showed cell membrane changes (loss of fine structure and blebbing) at cadmium concentrations as low as 30 microM. These findings suggest that loss of cell function and/or changes in cell morphology are more sensitive measurements of macrophage exposure to cadmium than is either cell death, lysosomal enzyme release, or cell respiration.

Subcellular localization of high- and low-molecular weight acid phosphatases from chicken liver

The subcellular localization of high and low molecular weight acid phosphatases in chicken liver was studied. The high molecular weight acid phosphatase is mainly associated with the particulate fraction, particularly with the mitochondrial-lysosomal fraction, whereas the low molecular weight form seems to be a soluble cytoplasmic enzyme. Biochemical properties including optimal pH, molecular weight determination and the effect of some modifier substances indicate that mitochondria-lysosomes and microsomes contain the same high molecular weight acid phosphatase form.

Temporal changes of acid phosphatase, arylsulphatase, beta-galactosidase and beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase activities in subcellular fractions of rat liver

In this paper circadian changes in the liver enzyme activities of rat housed under highly standardized conditions with 12: 12 hour light-dark cycle are shown. Activities of acid phosphatase, arylsulphatase, beta-galactosidase and beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase in microsomal and lysosomal fractions and crude homogenate were estimated every 4 hr during one 24-hr period. The enzyme activities were related to 1 mg of protein, 1 mg of DNA and 1 g fresh tissue. Daily changes of enzyme activities were found. In case of activity calculated per 1 mg DNA two maxima at 0500 and at 2100 hr were observed, while activity calculated per 1 mg protein showed one maximum at 0500 hr. Activity calculated per 1 g fresh tissue showed the maximum at 0500 hr for each enzyme only in microsomal fraction. As far as acrophase table is concerned for all enzymes and fractions the acrophase occurred during the night. The obtained results are discussed in relation to lysosomal enzymes synthesis process as well as different reference values.

Regulation of human natural killing by lysosomotropic and thiol-reactive agents

Treatment of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) with ammonium or other lysosomotropic amines eliminates natural killing (NK) activity of effector cells without affecting their viability. Inhibition of NK by these reagents is probably due to blocking of events subsequent to effector cell target cell binding but before programming for cytolysis. Treatment of K562 target cells with the same reagents has no effect on target cell sensitivity to NK. Pretreatment of effector cells with the NK inhibitory lysosomotropic agents decreases lysosomal thiol cathepsin activity without affecting the lysosomal acid phosphatase activity. Thiol-reactive agents, tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK) and iodoacetamide also inhibit NK and thiol cathepsin activity in PBL. These data suggest a role for thiol-containing enzymes in the early stages of NK cytolysis.

Acid phosphatase activity of human gingival fibroblasts measured using a simultaneous coupling semi-permeable membrane technique

Acid phosphatase activity has been measured in cultured human gingival fibroblasts using a validated histochemical simultaneous coupling semi-permeable membrane technique. The histochemical reaction was linear over a three hour incubation period and had a pH optimum of 5.0. The activity was not increased by prior exposure to hypotonic acetate buffer and was inhibited by fluoride and molybdate but not by formaldehyde. These results indicate that the semi-permeable membrane technique described may be used for observing and measuring acid phosphatase activity in cultured fibroblasts. From results obtained using inhibitors, it appears that in these cells most of the acid phosphatase observed is lysosomal. The absence of any activation of activity following pre-incubation with hypotonic buffer indicates that the method is not suitable for monitoring lysosomal membrane function.

Rapid, quantitative isolation of mitochondria from rat liver using Ficoll gradients in vertical rotors

A method for the rapid, quantitative isolation of rat liver mitochondria has been developed. The method consists of placing portions of whole liver homogenate on linear Ficoll gradients followed by reorienting rate-zonal centrifugation in a vertical rotor. Fractions collected from the gradient were analyzed for protein, cytochrome oxidase, and a number of marker enzymes to determine mitochondrial location and the extent of their contamination with other cellular organelles. In the fraction designated as the mitochondrial peak, 85% of the total cytochrome oxidase activity was recovered. Contamination with other cellular organelles ranged from 7.07 to 14.05%. The respiratory control ratio of the isolated mitochondria was 8.10, indicating they were well coupled.

3,4-bis(3'-hydroxyphenyl)hexane--a new mammary tumor-inhibiting compound. Studies on the mechanism of action on the DMBA-induced, hormone-dependent mammary tumor of the rat

Biochemical properties, such as the activities of eight carbohydrate-metabolism-linked enzymes and four acid hydrolases, and histological characteristics of growing and regressing DMBA-induced mammary tumors of the SD-rat after ovariectomy or treatment of the host with hexesterol, tamoxifen, and 3,4-bis(3'-hydroxyphenyl)hexane were determined. Significant differences were found between growing and regressing tumors regardless of the treatment animals had been subjected to. Only few differences in biochemical parameters could be found within the group of tumors regressing due to the applied therapy. The histological signs of regressing tumors were very diverse, but no phenomenon typical of a specific treatment could be found. It cannot be decided whether the partial antiestrogen, 3,4-bis(3'-hydroxyphenyl)hexane unfolds its antimammary tumor activity by means of its estrogenic or its antiestrogenic potency. The hypothesis that estrogens inhibit mammary tumor growth by directing neoplastic cell metabolism toward secretion is not supported by these findings.

New form of acid phosphatase during lysosome biogenesis

Lysosome formation was induced in cells of the renal medulla by feeding rats on a K+-deficient diet. The role of the endoplasmic reticulum in the production of acid phosphatase, a typical lysosomal enzyme, was examined. Lysosomal and microsomal fractions were prepared for study by differential centrifugation of homogenates of renal papilla and inner stripe of red medulla. Acid phosphatase activity in the microsomal fraction was distinguished from the activity in the lysosomal fraction in normal tissue by differences in pH optima, tartrate inhibition, distribution of multiple forms after polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and detergent-sensitivity. During progressive K+ depletion, acid phosphatase activity in both microsomal and lysosomal fractions of the tissue increased 3-fold. In the lysosomes, K+ depletion was associated with the appearance of a new band of acid phosphatase. The neuraminidase-sensitivity of this band on polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis indicated that the enzyme protein had been modified by the addition of sialic acid residues. K+ depletion also altered the lysosomal enzyme so that thiol compounds were able to stimulate its activity.

Sub-cellular fractionation of Trypanosoma brucei. Isolation and characterization of plasma membranes

A procedure is described for the isolation of sub-cellular fractions from bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei. The method leaves intact most of the nuclei, mitochondria and microbodies. All the fractions have been chemically characterized and tested for 10 enzymatic markers. About 5% of total cell protein was isolated as a microsomal fraction containing mostly plasma membranes and endoplasmic reticulum vesicles. Plasma membranes were purified by high-speed centrifugation on magnesium-containing Dextran, and on linear sucrose-density gradients. The yield of membranes was approximately 0.3% of the total cell protein. The purified material had a sucrose density of 1.14 g/cm3 and consisted of smooth vesicles. Specific activity of the membrane markers Na+, K+, ouabain-sensitive ATPase and adenylate cyclase were 26- and 20-fold higher, respectively, than in total cells. Neither DNA nor RNA was detected. The sum of the cholesterol and phospholipid content was 0.99 mg/mg protein. The cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio was 1:2.

Localization of acid phosphatases in the cell fractions of chick liver

3 molecular forms (P1, P2 and P3) of acid phosphatase (E.C. 3.1.3.2) have been detected in chicken liver homogenate. The different intracellular localization of these molecules has been demonstrated by cellular fractionation and electrophoretic analysis. P1 and P2 phosphatases are both present in the particulate fraction. P3 is present in a pure form in the soluble fraction. The difference between the enzyme molecules present in the particulate fraction and that in the soluble one is confirmed by the different activation-inhibition effect of various ions and substances on the enzymatic activity of subcellular fractions.

Regulation of acid phosphatase activity in human promyelocytic leukemic cells induced to differentiate in culture

Induction of differentiation of a human promyelocytic leukemic cell line (HL60) in culture is accompanied by changes in acid phosphatase (Acpase) activity. The increase in activity is less than twofold when the leukemic cells are stimulated by dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) to differentiate into metamyelocytes and granulocytes but is eightfold when the cells are stimulated by the tumor-promoting agent 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) to differentiate into macrophage-like cells. Five different isozymes of Acpase were separated by acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Isozyme 1, the most anodal isozyme, was found to be present in undifferentiated, DMSO-treated and TPA-treated cells; isozyme 2 was a very faint band observed both in DMSO- and TPA-treated cells, the isoenzymes 3a and 3b were present only in TPA-induced cells; and isozyme 4, the most cathodal isozyme, was present both in TPA- and DMSO-induced cells. A time sequence study on the appearance of the various forms after TPA treatment indicated that the expression of the isozymes is regulated in an uncoordinated fashion. Acpase activity has been shown by ultrastructural cytochemistry to be localized in the entire rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and in areas of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) located near the Golgi complex in differentiating cells but to be extremely weak, if at all detectable, in undifferentiated promyelocytes.

Acute and chronic hypoxia in rats. I. Effect on organismic respiration, mitochondrial protein mass in liver and succinic dehydrogenase activity in liver, kidney and heart

The objective of this investigation was to characterize organismic, organ and mitochondrial alterations in rats over the course of 27 days at 0.4 atm. In the adjustment phase (day 1 through 5) a significant decrease in systemic oxygen uptake and body weight (23% of pre-altitude values) occurred. In the acclimating state (day 7 to 27) body weight was regained but oxygen consumption remained depressed. Hematocrit increased hyperbolically from 45% in 0-day rats to 79% in 27-day rats. Liver, kidney and heart weights and total organ protein paralleled the changes observed in body weight. Total organ succinic dehydrogenase activity showed a wave-like oscillation for liver and kidney; activity was decreased in both organs by day 5, showed a transient but significant increase on days 16 through 18 and a return to diminished activity on day 27. Succinic dehydrogenase activity for heart became depressed in the adjustment phase but showed a stable level comparable to pre-altitude values in the accliminating phase, days 7 through 27. Liver mitochondrial protein mass was unchanged from pre-altitude values on days 5 and 27 even though succinic dehydrogenase activity was significantly depressed. Therefore, the changes in succinic dehydrogenase activity are not representative of altered mitochondrial mass but suggest that mitochondrial function was altered.

Localization of acid and alkaline phosphatase activities in the blood vessels of normotensive and hypertensive rats

Samples of aortae and caudal arteries from normotensive and hypertensive rats were studied for cytochemical and biochemical determinations of acid and alkaline phosphatase activities. Cytochemical examination revealed an increased amount of acid phosphatase reaction product in hypertensive samples, with extensive localization to the extracellular matrix. Alkaline phosphatase activity was localized to the plasma membrane of fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells and to the extracellular matrix. Biochemical assays of enzyme activities supported the cytochemical findings, showing increased activity in aortae from hypertensive rats.

Evaluation of histochemical observations of activity of acid hydrolases obtained with semipermeable membrane techniques. 3. The substrate specificity of isoenzymes of acid phosphatase in m.gastrocnemius of rabbits

Three distinct isoenzymes of acid phosphatase have been separated from extracts of m.gastrocnemius of normal and of vitamin E deficient rabbits by gel filtration and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These isoenzymes, termed I, II and III, have molecular weights of: 110,000--130,000, 60,000--78,000 and 12,500--14,500. Isoenzymes I and II split the substrates 4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate and naphthol AS-BI phosphate and the activity is strongly increased in the muscles of vitamin E deficient rabbits. Isoenzyme III splits only 4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate and the activity is not increased in the muscles of vitamin E deficient rabbits. The pH-optimum for isoenzymes I and II is 4.8 and for isoenzyme III 5.5. It has been shown that the histochemical semipermeable membrane technique, using substrate naphthol AS-BI phosphate, is a very reliable technique for demonstrating activity of the isoenzymes I and II in tissue sections. On the other hand, activity of isoenzyme III cannot be demonstrated with this histochemical technique. In pathologically altered muscles, the activity of the isoenzymes I and II is greatly increased whilst the activity of isoenzyme III is not significantly altered.

Effect of different factors modifying the activity of some enzyme systems of the endoplasmic reticulum on the sensitivity of cell organelles against the damaging action of chemical agents. II. Studies with chlorpromazine, 2,4-dinitrophenol, phenobarbital and DDT

Further investigations on the effect of different stress factors on the stability of intracellular membranes were carried out. Large granule fractions derived from livers of sleep-deprived and dehydrated rats and subjected to preincubation at 37 degrees and pH 5 were shown to release latent acid phosphatase with a delayed rate indicating an increased lysosomal stability towards acid media conditioning. Lysosomes of such animals, however, were found to be more sensitive to mechanical treatments (homogenization procedure in this case) than that of controls, a conclusion made on the basis of enhanced "free" and nonsedimentable phosphatase activities in liver homogenates. The stress factors which previously were included in the group of modifiers of the activity of the endoplasmic reticulum-located enzymes caused some changes in the action of certain chemicals on membranes. Earlier such changes were elicited for carbon tetrachloride and only on low-temperature-conditioned rats for chlorpromazine. The present results show that stress factors studied result in deviations (different in extent and in direction) from the usual effects of chlorpromazine, 2,4-dinitrophenol, phenobarbital and DDT on liver lysosomes and peroxisomes.

Isolation of lysosomes from brain tissue. A separation method by means of alteration of mitochondrial and synaptosomal sedimentation properties

1. A crude mitochondrial-lysosomal preparation from brain tissue was layered on a sucrose gradient containing 20mm-succinate, 10mm-Tris and 1mm-disodium EDTA at pH7.4. The lysosomes were separated from the mitochondria and synaptosomes by means of a twosteps centrifugation procedure. In a first low-speed step (40min at 5300g at 15 degrees C) the sedimentation rate of mitochondria and mitochondria-containing synaptosomes was enlarged due to passage of these subcellular structures through the sucrose gradient with the above-mentioned chemicals (called ;chemical field'). That part of the gradient which contained the mitochondria and synaptosomes was removed and substituted by a gradient suitable for isopycnic isolation of lysosomes in a second centrifugation step. The achieved purification for bovine brain lysosomes was 5-8-fold, for rat brain lysosomes 7-10-fold, over the homogenate. 2. The enlargement of the sedimentation rate of mitochondria and synaptosomes was brought about by the presence of succinate, but also by one of the following salts in the chemical field: malonate, fumarate, pyruvate, phosphate and chloride. 3. Comparison of the chemical-field method with other methods for the isolation of lysosomes showed that (a) with the chemical-field method a 2-3-times higher purification of the rat and bovine brain lysosomal fraction can be achieved than with the procedure described by Koenig, Gaines, McDonald, Gray & Scott [(1964) J. Neurochem.11, 729-743], and that (b) similar purification results for rat liver lysosomes were obtained when the chemical-field method and the procedure described by van Dijk, Roholl, Reijngoud & Tager [(1976) FEBS Lett.62, 177-181] were compared.

A quantitative method for measurement of lysosomal acid phosphatase latency in cultured rat heart cells with 210Pb

A method is described for measuring the latency of lysosomal acid phosphatase in cultured rat heart endotheloid cells. 210Pb was added to a medium used to demonstrate acid phosphatase activity by the Gomori lead method, and the amount of lead deposited was measured with a liquid scintillation counter. Deposition rates were measured after enzyme activation pretreatments with acetate buffer (pH 5.0) at various osmolalities, and after formaldehyde fixation. Formaldehyde, alloxan, or fluoride in the Gomori medium were evaluated for their differential effects on lysosomal and non-lysosomal acid phosphatase. The method was found to provide a sensitive, rapid and quantitative evaluation of acid phosphatase latency and should be useful for studying the integrity of lysosomes within cells.

Evaluation of histochemical observations of activity of acid hydrolases obtained with semipermeable membrane techniques: a combined histochemical and biochemical investigation 2. The biochemical investigation and comparison with the histochemical observations

The reliability of enzyme histochemical semipermeable membrane techniques for the demonstration of acid hydrolases was investigated with a combined histochemical and biochemical study. In part 1 the histochemical findings were presented. In this communication the biochemical findings are reported and compared with the histochemical findings. In m. soleus, m. plantaris, m. gastrocnemius and diaphragm of vitamin E deficient rabbits the activity of the lysosomal acid hydrolases, cathepsin D, acid maltase, acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase is significantly increased. This increase in activity of the investigated acid hydrolases was equal for muscles with an aerobic or an anaerobic metabolism. By means of statistical calculations the activity of the enzymes demonstrated with histochemical techniques was compared with the enzyme activity determined with biochemical techniques. From the results of this investigation it can be concluded that the histochemical semipermeable membrane techniques for the demonstration of activity of acid hydrolases are very reliable. Considering the fact that these techniques are also tissue-saving, they are therefore extremely suitable for the study of catabolic wasting processes in skeletal muscle tissues of patients with inherited or acquired muscular diseases.

Characterization of multiple forms of histone phosphatase in rat liver

By using chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, aminohexyl-Sepharose 4B and Sephadex G-200, rat liver extract was shown to contain at least three fractions, IA, IB and II, of histone phosphatase. Fractions IA and II are probably the same enzymes as the previously described glycogen synthase phosphatase and phosphorylase phosphatase, respectively, but IB exhibits noticeable activities only with phosphohistone as substrate. Approximate molecular weights of 69 000, 300 000 and 160 000 were determined by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 for IA, IB and II, respectively.