RAT-KIDNEY LYSOSOMES: ISOLATION AND PROPERTIES

Retinol inhibition of some proteolytic enzymes

Automated analyses were used to determine the effect of retinol on the activity of the following proteolytic enzymes: ficin (EC 3.4.4.12), bromelain (EC 3.4.4. 24), trypsin (EC 3.4.4.4.), chymotrypsin A (EC 3.4.4.5), papain (EC 3.4.4.10), clostridiopeptidase A (EC 3.4.4.19), pepsin (EC 3.4.4.1), cathepsin D (EC 3.4.4. 23) from rat-liver and rat-kidney lysosomes and the nonspecific proteolytic enzyme, pronase. Of these proteolytic enzymes only ficin, bromelain, and rat-kidney lysosomal cathepsin D were inhibited significantly by 1x10(-4) M retinol.Some nonproteolytic enzymes not inhibited by retinol were acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2), beta-acetylglucosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30), arylsulfatase (EC 3.1.6.1), and pyruvate kinase (EC 2.7.1.40). The inhibition of cathepsin D varied with the substrate used, being greater with hemoglobin than with ovalbumin or bovine serum albumin. Carotene and retinol inhibited ficin and cathepsin D to similar extents. Retinol inhibition of ficin was partially reversible. These studies of proteolytic enzyme inhibition by retinol serve as a simple model for studying retinol-protein interactions in vitro.

LYSOZYME IN EPIPHYSEAL CARTILAGE : IV. Embryonic Chick Cartilage Lysozyme-Its Localization and Partial Characterization

The localization of chick embryonic lysozyme was determined by two techniques: by studying the rate of release from the tissue during sequential enzymatic digestion and by immunocytochemistry. Both techniques indicate that, in this tissue, lysozyme is primarily extra-cellular. Cartilage lysozyme was isolated and partially characterized and found to be identical with egg white lysozyme in its immunologic and enzymatic behavior. In addition, a method for the isolation of large numbers of viable chondrocytes is described.

ENZYME ACTIVITIES IN CHICK EMBRYONIC CARTILAGE : Their Subcellular Distribution in Isolated Chondrocytes

Some characteristic enzymatic activities were determined in chick embryonic cartilage and compared with the analogous activities in bone and liver. Chondrocytes were isolated, broken by sonication, and subjected to subcellular fractionation to yield a nuclear pellet, the mitochondrial, lysosomal, and microsomal fractions, and the high speed supernatant solution. It was established that these fractions are characterized by enzymatic activities usually associated with similar fractions in other tissues, but with some quantitative differences. Lysozyme, a particulate-associated enzyme in other tissues, was not detected in any subcellular fraction even by the sensitive technique of microzone electrophoresis and is therefore considered to be primarily extracellular in cartilage.

Difference in subcellular distribution between 45- and 37-kDa mevalonate pyrophosphate decarboxylase in rat liver

We previously reported that the CP diet (a diet containing 5% cholestyramine and 0.1% pravastatin)-induced new species of 37-kDa mevalonate pyrophosphate decarboxylase (MPD) was characteristically and immunologically very similar to the well-known 45-kDa MPD. In the present study, we found a difference in subcellular distribution between 45- and 37-kDa MPD by cell fractionation and immunoblot analysis. The cytosol fraction contained 45- and 37-kDa MPD. Peroxisomal fraction contained a small amount of 45-kDa MPD, but not 37-kDa MPD. Also, 45-kDa MPD in peroxisome is localized in the matrix. From these data, the difference in subcellular distribution between 45- and 37-kDa MPD may be due to differences in the physiological role of cholesterol biosynthesis in rat liver.

Iron overload and kidney lysosomes

Iron overload has been associated with damage of the liver and other organs of patients with primary or secondary increased iron load. In order to study the effect of iron overload on the pathophysiology of kidney lysosomes, experimentally induced iron overload models were employed. Iron overload was achieved through intraperitoneal injections of Fe-dextran (Imferon) in male rats, at different final iron concentrations (825 and 1650 mg/kg, single and double dose groups respectively). Controls were injected with dextran following a similar protocol. The animals were killed at different time points after the last injection. Subcellular fractionation studies of kidney homogenates were carried out by differential centrifugation and density gradient centrifugation. The kidney iron load was increased with both doses. Iron appeared to accumulate mainly in the lysosomes, bringing about distinct changes in the behaviour of the organelles as judged by subcellular fractionation studies. Lysosomes became more fragile and showed increased density. The extent of the above changes seemed to correlate with the extent and duration of iron accumulation and could be reversed when the iron load was reduced.

Alterations of glycosidases in human colonic adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVES

We have carried out a detailed study of some glycosidases in an attempt to explain the differential profile of enzyme activity between human colonic adenocarcinoma and normal mucosa.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Several glycosidase activities associated with human colonic adenocarcinoma and control tissues were submitted to a detailed structural and functional characterization.

RESULTS

Tumoral and control samples were assayed for beta-D-galactosidase, beta-D-glucuronidase, alpha-D-mannosidase, beta-NAc-D-glucosaminidase and beta-NAc-D-galactosaminidase activities. Tumoral tissue showed higher beta-D-galactosidase, beta-NAc-D-glucosaminidase, and beta-NAc-D-galactosaminidase activities than control tissue. Glycosidases from tumoral and control tissues demonstrated no differences in optimum pH, subcellular distribution, pH and thermal stability. However, the kinetic analysis showed a statistically significant increased Vmax in tumoral colon with respect to the control for beta-D-galactosidase, beta-NAc-D-glucosaminidase, and beta-NAc-D-galactosaminidase activities. The Km remained unaltered.

CONCLUSIONS

The increased Vmax detected for some glycosidase activities in human colonic adenocarcinoma could correspond with a greater presence of enzyme proteins in the tumoral cells, and not to changes in protein and/or active site structure.

Copper incorporation into ceruloplasmin in rat livers

Ceruloplasmin, a blue copper oxidase found in plasma, is synthesized in hepatocytes as a single polypeptide chain consisting of a 19 amino acid leader peptide plus 1046 amino acids of mature protein (132 kDa). Holoceruloplasmin is secreted into the plasma with 6-7 atoms of copper bound per molecule. In this study we identified apo- and holoceruloplasmin and examined the mechanism of copper incorporation during ceruloplasmin biosynthesis using the Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rat which does not incorporate copper into newly synthesized ceruloplasmin. We followed the conversion from ceruloplasmin precursor (with little or no carbohydrate) to the larger product (after carbohydrate addition), which occurred in the secretory compartments of hepatocytes, by native gel electrophoresis. We found that copper accumulates in the hepatocellular Golgi apparatus of LEC rats due to a disorder in the process of copper incorporation. The data indicate that copper is incorporated into ceruloplasmin late in the course of its transport through the secretory compartments.

Ultrastructural and biochemical studies of the effect of polychlorinated biphenyl on mouse parotid gland cells

These effects of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) were examined by light and electron microscopy and biochemical analysis of lysosomal enzyme activities. Several experimental protocols with dosage schedules of either 0.2, 2.0, or 20 mg/kg of PCB were used. Typical histological changes were observed in mice given 2 mg/kg of PCB in a single injection. There were no remarkable changes until 4 days after PCB administration; marked cytoplasmic vacuolation was observed in parotid acinar cells at 7 days. The activities of lysosomal enzymes increased after the PCB injection and their maximum values appeared consistently at 4 days after the treatment; the increases were threefold for acid phosphatase, twofold for beta-glucuronidase, threefold for cathepsin D, fivefold for cathepsin H and twofold for cathepsin L. As vacuolation was preceded by a large increase in lysosomal enzyme activities and the vacuoles co-localized with lysosomes, it is suggested that an increase in these activities induced by PCB may be closely related to the development of vacuolation in the parotid acinar cells as a subacute effect of PCB.

Subcellular fractionation studies indicate an intracellular localization for human monocyte specific esterase (MSE)

Human monocyte-specific esterase (MSE) is one of the few haemopoietic cell enzymes that show absolute lineage restriction. Although the function of MSE has yet to be deduced, its potential role in tumour cell killing has stimulated particular interest. Knowledge of subcellular localization of MSE is fundamental to understanding its function and, in this context, it is widely believed that MSE is expressed as a plasma membrane ectoenzyme; a contention that is largely based upon experiments which examined fixed cells by ultrastructural cytochemistry. However, as recent molecular studies of human MSE indicate, a number of inconsistencies between its structure and a membrane localization, we applied the techniques of phase separation in the non-ionic detergent Triton X-114 and differential centrifugation to further investigate whether this particular esterase species is membrane-bound or associated with an intracellular organelle. These studies provide strong evidence that MSE is in fact a soluble intracellular enzyme that is almost certainly located within the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum.

Purification, subunit structure and inhibitor profile of cathepsin A

Cathepsin A (EC 3.4.16.1), a lysosomal carboxypeptidase, has been purified 1374-fold from pig kidney. Purification steps included concanavalin A-Sepharose and phenyl-Sepharose chromatography and chromatofocusing. The specific activity (16.9 U/mg) of the purified enzyme was significantly higher than previously reported values. The enzyme preparation appeared homogeneous when analyzed by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and was free of detectable protease contamination. The molecular mass (M(r) = 97,000), isoelectric point (5.0), and sensitivity to inhibitors were consistent with reported properties of cathepsin A. However, the previously reported three-peptide chain structure was not observed. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence or absence of 2-mercaptoethanol demonstrated that the enzyme is composed of two M(r) 47,000 subunits, each of which dissociate in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol into two polypeptide chains of 19,000 and 31,000.

Enhancement of lysosomal enzyme activity by recombinant human tumor necrosis factor and its role in tumor cell killing in vitro

We investigated the effect of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (TNF) on the lysosomal enzyme activity of various established cell lines in vitro. Incubation of 1 x 10(6) TNF-sensitive mouse tumorigenic fibroblasts (L-M cells) in the presence of TNF (100 U/ml) for 48 h increased the total (the sum of the enzyme activities in the lysosomes and the cytoplasm) acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase activities by 3.7- and 4.2-fold, respectively. The same increase was observed even when 1 U/ml of TNF was added to some cultures and no further augmentation occurred at 10 or 100 U/ml. Measurement of total and free enzyme activities showed that TNF stimulation not only enhanced the total intracellular enzyme activity but also accelerated the conversion into free (cytoplasmic) enzyme activity. Addition of a lysosomotropic agent (methylamine) suppressed both the enhancement of lysosomal enzyme activity and the cytotoxicity of TNF. A similar enhancement of lysosomal enzyme activities was also detected in various TNF-sensitive tumor cell lines, and a strong correlation (acid phosphatase: r = 0.836, beta-glucuronidase: r = 0.910) was observed between the enhancement of enzyme activity and sensitivity to TNF. No such increase was detected in TNF-resistant human diploid cells. These results show that TNF induces the activation and release of lysosomal enzymes in TNF-sensitive cells, and suggest that such events may play an important role in TNF-mediated cytotoxicity.

Mechanism of synergistic cytotoxic effect between tumor necrosis factor and hyperthermia

We previously reported that recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rhTNF) and hyperthermia had a synergistic effect against tumors, in vitro and in vivo. We have now investigated the mechanism of this synergy by measuring the lysosomal enzyme activity and hydroxyl radical production of L-M cells treated with rhTNF and/or hyperthermia. A synergistic activation of lysosomal enzyme and the induction of hydroxyl radical production in L-M cells treated with both rhTNF and hyperthermia was observed. A synergistic cytotoxic effect was observed when rhTNF and hyperthermia were combined, and was inhibited by the addition of a reactive oxygen scavenger, dimethyl sulfoxide or bipyridine. The results show that the augmenting effect of hyperthermia on lysosomal enzyme activation and induction of hydroxyl radical production by rhTNF plays an important role in the synergistic cytotoxic effect.

Acetone-regulated synthesis and degradation of cytochrome P450E1 and cytochrome P4502B1 in rat liver [corrected]

The regulation of CYP2E1 and 2B1 was studied by following mRNA levels, catalytic activities and the subcellular distribution of the apoproteins in rat liver 0, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 96 h after a single intragastric dose of acetone. No changes were observed in hepatic CYP2E1 mRNA levels at any time after acetone treatment, whereas rapid rises were observed in the microsomal amount of CYP2E1 protein and CYP2E1-catalyzed 4-nitrophenol hydroxylase and carbon-tetrachloride-initiated lipid-peroxidation activities. However, CYP2E1-dependent catalytic activities declined much faster than the immunodetectable CYP2E1 protein, suggesting that this cytochrome P-450 is inactivated prior to degradation. Similar results were seen in primary hepatocyte cultures. By contrast, concomitant changes in levels of CYP2B1 and CYP2B1-dependent O-depentylation of pentoxyresorufin were observed in the same microsomal preparations. Investigation of the degradative mechanism of both CYP2E1 and CYP2B1 by immunoquantitation of the proteins in lysosomes and by immunohistochemistry indicated their degradation via an autophagic-lysosomal pathway. The data suggest that CYP2E1 is acutely inactivated in the endoplasmic reticulum and that degradation of this isozyme occurs, at least in part, by the lysosomal route. By contrast, CYP2B1 is principally controlled at the level of synthesis.

Hyaline droplet accumulation in rodent kidney proximal tubules: an association with histiocytic sarcoma

Since recognition during the last decade that certain renal carcinogens can initially cause an accumulation of hyaline (protein) droplets in proximal tubules of male rats, it has become appropriate to establish whether this phenomenon of protein overload can also occur in rodent kidneys unrelated to chemical treatment. Kidney tissue from a number of selected rodent studies held in the National Toxicology Program (NTP) or Food and Drug Administration (FDA) archives were evaluated for hyaline droplet accumulation in proximal tubules. The survey concentrated on rats and mice of both sexes bearing hematopoietic tumors, as our preliminary observations had suggested this direction of study. The tissues of 101 Sprague-Dawley, 25 Osborne-Mendel, and 70 Fischer 344 rats and 96 B6C3F1 mice were examined. These animals provided an assortment of tumors including histiocytic sarcoma, lymphocytic lymphoma, mononuclear cell leukemia, and sarcoma. Hyaline droplet accumulation, primarily involving the P2 segment of proximal tubules, was diagnosed in 96% of rats with histiocytic sarcoma (74/77 cases in Sprague-Dawley, 17/18 in Osborne-Mendels, 7/7 in Fischers) and in 55% of B6C3F1 mice with histiocytic sarcoma (18/33 cases). There appeared to be a qualitative correlation between hyaline droplet accumulation and degree of tumor burden. Thus, in cases negative for hyaline droplets, the tumor was often confined to a single location, while increasing involvement of proximal segments beyond P2 occurred with more extensive multi-organ dissemination of the tumor. By immunohistochemistry on 11 cases of rat and 8 cases of mouse histiocytic sarcoma, the protein in hyaline droplets was identified as lysozyme, a known major secretory product of monocytes and macrophages. The hyaline droplets were negative for alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 2u-globulin, rat or mouse immunoglobulin, and albumin. More sparsely scattered droplets and granules present in proximal tubules of Fischer rats with mononuclear cell leukemia were negative for lysozyme but positive for either iron or lipofuscin pigment. The study establishes a clear association between renal tubule hyaline droplet and lysozyme accumulation in rats and mice with histiocytic sarcoma. Hyaline droplets secondary to neoplasia should be distinguished from chemically-induced hyaline droplet nephropathy in the male rat involving alpha 2u-globulin.

Purification and characterization of different "acid" beta-galactosidases from sheep kidney

1. Two "acid" forms, Am and Al, of beta-galactosidase from sheep kidney have been isolated and purified 349- and 154-fold, respectively, with a recovery of about 8%. 2. Their mol. wts were about 450,000 and 230,000, respectively. Am seems to be a dimer of Al. The aggregation is stimulated by NaCl. 3. The "acid" beta-galactosidase has a pH optimum between 4.0 and 5.0 for both forms. They are located in the lysosomes. The optimal temperature is 37 degrees C and 40 degrees C for Al and Am forms, respectively. 4. Three peaks were detected by isoelectric focusing. After sialidase treatment, these peaks were obtained at higher pH values. 5. The activation energy values were 10.75 and 11.72 kcal/mol for Am and Al, respectively. 6. A variety of chemicals were tested as possible activators or inhibitors. The enzyme is strongly inhibited by gamma-D-galactonolactone, and the kinetic evidence suggests a competitive inhibition in all cases.

Properties of an acid cholesteryl ester hydrolase inhibitor from rat serum

The inhibitory effect of a protein isolated from rat serum on lysosomal acid cholesteryl ester hydrolase (acid CEH; EC.3.1.1.13) activity was studied. An inhibitor was purified from rat serum following ultracentrifugation and heat treatment using column chromatography on Sephacryl S-200 and ultrafiltration. The purified inhibitor appeared as a single protein band in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of the inhibitor was 28,000 Daltons as judged by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200 and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified inhibitor was shown to be apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I), the major apolipoprotein of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), using immunoprecipitation with rat anti-apo A-I immunoglobulin (Ig)G. Inhibition of acid CEH activity by apo A-I was dependent on the concentration of apo A-I. The values of Vmax obtained were similar with or without apo A-I. Apo A-I of various other mammalian species, including human, bovine and rabbit, also inhibited acid CEH activity. Other apolipoproteins, such as apo A-II and apo B, also showed inhibiting activity. On the other hand, apo A-I had no effect on the activity of other enzymes found in lysosomes, such as cathepsin D, beta-glucuronidase and acid phosphatase. The results suggest that apolipoproteins may play a role in the regulation of hydrolysis of cholesteryl esters in lipoproteins, that have been transferred to the liver, and that the inhibition of acid CEH activity by apo A-I may be a characteristic of the lipid-binding protein or be due to changes of the lipid/water interface.

Hepatic mitochondrial function and lysosomal enzyme activity in ethanol-potentiated aflatoxin B1 hepatotoxicity

The possible role of hepatic mitochondrial function and lysosomal enzyme activity in ethanol-enhanced aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) hepatotoxicity was studied in male rats. Hepatic ATP content was significantly decreased in rats treated with ethanol (4.0 g/kg body wt.) and AFB1 (2.0 mg/kg body wt.) compared with rats treated with AFB1 alone at 12-72 h after AFB1 administration. The decrease in hepatic ATP content was due to the decrease in the activity of NADH-cytochrome c reductase whereas cytochrome oxidase activity did not differ in rats treated with ethanol and AFB1 when compared to AFB1 alone. Total and free activities of hepatic lysosomal enzymes (glucuronidase, arylsulfatase and acid phosphatase) were significantly increased in rats treated with ethanol and AFB1 at 24-36 h after AFB1 administration when compared to AFB1 alone. The increase in hepatic lysosomal enzyme activities correlated well with the increase in the lipid peroxide level of lysosomes in rats treated with ethanol and AFB1. These findings indicate that the decrease in hepatic mitochondrial respiratory enzyme activities and the increase in lipid peroxide level of lysosomes might lead to a decrease in hepatic ATP content, and that the increase in the activities of hepatic lysosomal enzymes, respectively, enhance the AFB1 hepatotoxicity of ethanol.

Quantitation and immunohistochemical localization of cathepsins E and D in rat tissues and blood cells

The distribution of cathepsins E and D in various rat tissues and blood cells was determined by immunoprecipitation and by immunohistochemistry with discriminative antibodies specific for each enzyme. While cathepsin D was detected in all of the tissues and blood cells tested (except for erythrocytes), cathepsin E had a relatively limited distribution. The cathepsin E content was highest in the stomach and was succeeded in the following order by the urinary bladder, thymus, spleen, cervical lymph node and bone marrow. Significant amounts of cathepsin E were also found in the colon, rectum, jejunum, skin, lung, kidney and submandibular gland. The other tissues tested had little or no detectable cathepsin E content. Of the blood cells tested, lymphocytes and peritoneal neutrophils contained high levels of cathepsin E. Erythrocytes had cathepsin E only as aspartic proteinases. When the subcellular localization of cathepsin E in the neutrophils was investigated by fractionation of the postnuclear supernatants, the enzyme behaved as a soluble cytosolic enzyme. In contrast, cathepsin D was mainly associated with the granular fraction. The immunohistochemical localization of cathepsins E and D was clearly different in the stomach, large intestines, kidney and urinary bladder, but was similar in the lymph node and spleen. The tissue-fixed macrophages, which were notable in the skeletal and cardiac muscle tissues, submucosal layers of the gastrointestinal tracts, salivary gland, lung and trachea, also exhibited similar intense immunoreactivities demonstrative of both cathepsins E and D.

Studies on correlations between chloroquine-induced tissue damage and serum enzyme changes in the rat

The administration of chloroquine to rats resulted in a significant elevation of serum enzymes and a corresponding decrease of these enzymes in the tissues. The changes in serum and kidney enzymes were most marked, thus indicating a primary renal dysfunction.

Rat kidney lysosomal membrane damage induced by suramin in vitro and in vivo

The effect of suramin, an acid naphthylamine, on rat kidney lysosomal membrane integrity was studied. Lysosomal particles were incubated with suramin (0.1-0.4 mM) and light scattering behaviour of the mixtures were subsequently measured. There was a significant decrease (P less than 0.005) in the amount of light absorbed in the presence of suramin compared to lysosomal particle suspension alone. This was accompanied by release of acid phosphatase, a lysosomal 'marker' enzyme, into the suspending medium. These effects were reduced in the presence of acetylsalicylic acid, a known lysosomal membrane stabilizer. Administration of suramin to rats resulted in loss of kidney acid phosphatase and lysozyme activities from the tissue. These results indicate labilization of rat kidney lysosomal membrane by suramin molecules both in vitro and in vivo.

Cupric ion-dependent inhibition of lysosomal acid cholesteryl ester hydrolase in the presence of hydroxylamine

In the presence of hydroxylamine or ascorbic acid, the inhibitory effects of Cu2+ on lysosomal acid cholesteryl ester hydrolase (acid CEH) partially purified from rat liver were studied. Hydroxylamine stimulated the inhibition of acid CEH activity by Cu2+ but not that by Zn2+, Fe2+, Co2+, Mn2+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Hg2+. This Cu2+-dependent inhibition of acid cholesterol ester hydrolase (CEH) activity was completely prevented by ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), EGTA and o-phenanthroline, a chelator with a stability constant for Cu2+, and also by sulfhydryl agents and cytoplasmic reducing agents such as cysteine, glutathione and mercaptoethanol. In addition, the stimulative effects of hydroxylamine on Cu2+-dependent inhibition were maintained even after preincubation of Cu2+ with hydroxylamine. On the other hand, ascorbic acid was found to replace the stimulation by hydroxylamine of the Cu2+-dependent inhibition of acid CEH activity but the effects of ascorbic acid progressively became smaller with prolongation of the preincubation time. Moreover, addition of chemical radical scavengers to the reaction mixture did not prevent the Cu2+-dependent inhibition of acid CEH activity in the presence of ascorbic acid. These results suggest that Cu2+ causes inhibition of lysosomal acid CEH activity through the formation of Cu1+ in a reductive medium.

The heterogeneity of rat kidney lysosomes revealed by immunoelectron microscopic staining for cathepsins B and H

The heterogeneity of lysosomes was studied by analyzing the immunostaining behavior of cathepsins B and H in rat kidney proximal tubule cells. Rat kidneys were fixed by perfusion and embedded in Lowicryl K4M. A protein A-gold technique was applied to serial sections and a double labeling technique to conventional sections. By analyzing the immunostaining behavior of cathepsins B and H in the same lysosomes which were cut into separate sections, four types of lysosomes were found: Type 1 positive for both proteinases; type 2 strongly positive for cathepsin B, but weakly or negative for cathepsin H; type 3 strongly positive for cathepsin H, but weakly or negative for cathepsin B; and type 4 negative for both proteinases. The double labeling by two different sizes of the protein A-gold probes showed these four types of lysosomes. The results indicate that there exists the lysosomal heterogeneity of the proteinase content in the kidney proximal tubule cells.

The dissociation between aminoglycoside serum concentrations and nephrotoxicity

Using newborn and adult rats we tested the correlation between aminoglycoside dose, resultant serum and renal cortical concentrations and nephrotoxicity evidenced by creatinine in serum and urine, N-acetylglucosaminidase and beta 2 microglobulins in urine and sphingomyelinase in renal cortical tissue. Our data reveal that aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity is clearly more evident in adult rats despite significantly lower drug serum concentrations and in the presence of substantially higher renal cortical concentrations. These data indicate that high aminoglycoside serum concentrations are not causing nephrotoxicity but rather reflect secondary body accumulation of the drug associated renal damage.

The activity and properties of a hepatic acid cholesteryl ester hydrolase obtained from rats of different age groups

The activity of lysosomal acid cholesteryl ester hydrolase (acid CEH, EC 3.1.1.13) in rat liver was determined at 3, 5, 7, 10 and 20 wk following birth. The levels of acid CEH activity showed a marked decrease as rats grew older, whereas those of other lysosomal marker enzymes, such as acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase and cathepsin B and D, showed only a slight decrease. On the other hand, acid CEH activity was detected in all subcellular fractions obtained from rat liver, but the enzyme activity in these fractions did not show the age-related decrease observed in the lysosomal fraction. The results presented here suggest that the marked alteration of lysosomal acid CEH activity that accompanies aging may be related to its possible involvement in the regulation of cholesterol concentration in rat liver.

The role of aspartic and cysteine proteinases in albumin degradation by rat kidney cortical lysosomes

We have investigated the degradation of 125I-labeled bovine serum albumin by lysates of rat kidney cortical lysosomes. Maximal degradation of albumin occurred at pH 3.5-4.2, with approximately 70% of the maximal rate occurring at pH 5.0. Degradation was proportional to lysosomal protein concentration (range 100-600 micrograms) and time of incubation (1-5 h). Dithioerythritol (2 mM) stimulated albumin degradation 5- to 10-fold. Albumin degradation was not inhibited by phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (1 mM) or EDTA (5 mM), indicating that neither serine nor metalloproteinases are involved to a significant extent. Pepstatin (5 micrograms/ml), an inhibitor of aspartic proteinases, inhibited albumin degradation by approximately 50%. Leupeptin (10 microM) and N-ethylmaleimide (10 mM), inhibitors of cysteine proteinases, decreased albumin degradation by 34 and 65%, respectively. Combinations of aspartic and cysteine proteinase inhibitors produced nearly complete inhibition of albumin degradation. Taken together, these data indicate that aspartic and cysteine proteinases are primarily responsible for albumin degradation by renal cortical lysosomes under these conditions. In keeping with the above data, we have measured high activities of the cysteine proteinases, cathepsins B, H, and L, in cortical tubules, the major site of renal protein degradation. Using the peptidyl 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (NHMec) substrates (Z-Arg-Arg-NHMec, for cathepsin B; Arg-NHMec for cathepsin H; and Z-Phe-Phe-CHN2-inhibitable hydrolysis of Z-Phe-Arg-NHMec corrected for inhibition of cathepsin B activity for cathepsin L) values obtained were (means +/- SE, mU/mg protein, 1 mU = production of 1 nM product/min, n = 6): cathepsin B, 2.1 +/- 0.34; cathepsin H, 1.35 +/- 0.19; cathepsin L, 14.49 +/- 1.26. In comparison, the activities of cathepsins B, H, and L in liver were: 0.56 +/- 0.03, 0.28 +/- 0.04, and 1.27 +/- 0.16, respectively.

Autodegradation of lysosomal cysteine proteinases

Repeated injections of Ep-475, a potent cysteine proteinase inhibitor, into rats caused several-fold increase in the hepatic contents of the lysosomal cysteine proteinases cathepsin B, H and L and in the activities of other lysosomal hydrolases. The rates of degradation of these lysosomal enzymes, estimated by repeated injections of cycloheximide, were found to be retarded in Ep475-treated rats, indicating that lysosomal cysteine proteinases are involved in degradation of lysosomal enzymes including proteinases.

Lysosomes of the renal cortex: heterogeneity and role in protein handling

Rate sedimentation of the kidney cortical mitochondrial/lysosomal (ML) fraction yields two distinct classes of lysosomes: the large lysosomes or protein droplets and a heterogeneous broad band of smaller lysosomes. The protein droplets which are recovered as a well defined zone of high purity also sediment as a homogeneous band after equilibrium banding at a density of 1.235 g/ml in sucrose. The small lysosomes co-sediment with other subcellular organelles as a broad band, indicated by the distribution of various acid hydrolases, which exhibit subtle heterogeneity among these small lysosomes. The distribution of renin containing granules indicates that in size they represent a distinct subpopulation of small lysosomes. Further fractionation of small lysosomes by equilibrium banding separates two distinct populations at densities 1.20 (small light) and 1.235 g/ml (small dense). Comparison of lysosomal populations fractionated in these studies with the distribution of lysosomal acid hydrolases along the different segments of the nephron suggests that large and small dense lysosomes probably originate from the proximal tubule while the small light lysosomes may contain lysosomes from the distal tubule. Very small, lysosome-like organelles subfractionated from the 'microsomes' may constitute a mixture of small light lysosomes, lysosomal fragments and endocytic vesicles from a variety of cell types. Time course studies with 3H labelled Cd-thionein, following intravenous administration, suggests that uptake in the kidney cortex is very rapid and that catabolism takes place in two distinct phases: rapid breakdown starting in the endosome compartment and slower breakdown in lysosomes. From the association of labelled lysozyme (125I) and Cd-thionein (109Cd) it appears that all the different lysosomal populations identified are at some stage involved with uptake and catabolism of these two proteins.

Latency of acid hydrolases in rat kidney cortex

1. Some lysosomal populations in the rat kidney cortex appear to be mechanically weak and are readily disrupted by gentle homogenization, while other populations remain intact even after repeated homogenization. 2. Lysosomes in the rat kidney cortex appear to be resistant to hypertonic media but are readily disrupted under hypotonic conditions. 3. Lysosomes in rat kidney cortex are readily disrupted when incubated in isotonic sucrose at 37 degrees C. 4. Measurement of total and free activity of three acid hydrolases: N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), acid beta-galactosidase and acid beta-glycerophosphatase, indicates that the latency of these enzymes is relatively low in the homogenate (10-29%) and the ML-fraction (14-42%), but high (60-95%) in the purified large lysosomes (protein droplets). 5. The latency of purified small lysosomes is relatively lower (30-60%) than that of large lysosomes, suggesting that small lysosome populations are relatively permeable to the acid hydrolase substrates. 6. Latency variations of acid hydrolases amongst subcellular fractions appear to reflect the heterogeneity of lysosomal populations present in the kidney cortical homogenate.

Plasma membranes purified from myeloid leukemia cells before and after differentiation. I. Characterization of spectrin-like proteins and increased association of actin

Two-step sucrose density gradient centrifugation was used to isolate the plasma membrane of a myeloid leukemia cell line (Ml). Calspectin (or fodrin) was identified in the Triton-insoluble fraction from the plasma membrane, and the molecular size and actin- and calmodulin-binding activity were studied. During differentiation of this cell line, which accompanied the induction of cell motility and phagocytic activity, the membrane-bound actin increased dramatically, whereas calspectin increased only slightly. Therefore, calspectin does not appear to have a major function in the increased binding of actin filaments to the plasma membrane, a requirement for the induction of cell motility.

Properties and kinetics of a neutral beta-galactosidase from rabbit kidney

A neutral beta-galactosidase has been purified by concanavalin A-Sepharose affinity chromatography, DEAE-cellulose chromatography, Sephadex G-200 gel filtration and hydroxylapatite chromatography. The enzyme was purified 126-fold with a yield of about 21%. This form has a neutral optimal pH (7.5) and it is located in the cytosolic fraction. It shows a wide pH stability from pH 4.5 to 8.0, but it is very unstable at low pH values. Its isoelectric point is 4.9 and this value does not change on neuraminidase treatment. The estimated molecular weight was 47 000. The neutral form shows beta-D-galactosidase, beta-D-fucosidase and beta-D-glucosidase activities, all of them associated in a single peak in all the purification steps. p-Nitrophenyl beta-D-galactosides, p-nitrophenyl beta-D-fucosides and p-nitrophenyl beta-D-glucosides competed fully for a common active site in mixed-substrate experiments. Using gamma-D-galactonolactone as competitive inhibitor the Ki values were always coincident for the three activities. The effect of NaCl, methyl mannoside and some sugars (fucose, galactose and glucose) was studied.

A cytosolic FAD-containing enzyme catalyzing cytochrome c reduction in Trypanosoma cruzi. I. Purification and some properties

A cytosolic flavoprotein enzyme for the protozoan, Trypanosoma cruzi, has been purified essentially to homogeneity by DEAE-cellulose and 2',5'-ADP-agarose column chromatography. The native enzyme has a molecular weight of 100,000 +/- 6,000, is composed of two identical subunits of molecular weight 52,000 +/- 1,000, and contains FAD in the ratio of 1 mol of FAD per mol of enzyme subunit. The enzyme is NADPH-dependent and is capable of reducing cytochrome c, ferricyanide, 2,6-dichloroindophenol, and menadione, but not adrenalin. It does not hydroxylate either sodium salicylate or sodium p-hydroxybenzoate, but N-methylaniline and N,N-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde-supported oxidation of NADPH has been demonstrated. Plots of initial velocity against NADPH concentration give hyperbolic curves with Km values of 6.289 X 10(-5) M. The enzyme is clearly different from the microsomal NADPH-cytochrome c reductase in its intracellular distribution, molecular weight, dimeric nature, presence of only FAD, and activity against secondary and tertiary aromatic amines.

Toxicity of renal lysosomal contents on aortic smooth muscle cells in culture

Effects of hog renal lysosomal contents and renin on cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were studied in attempts to determine mechanisms related to production of arterial lesions. The lysosomal contents rich in renin and with the pressor and the cytotoxic effects in vivo, inhibited the plating efficiency of SMCs in a dose- and incubation time-dependent manner. No inhibition occurred with the purified hog renin. The possibility that renal lysosomal contents contain a substance(s), other than renin, which has a direct toxic effect on vascular SMCs has to be given attention.

Labilising effect of suramin on rat kidney lysosomes in vivo

The effect of administration of suramin on the urinary levels of some lysosomal enzymes in rats was investigated. The urinary levels of acid phosphatase and lysozyme were significantly elevated 24 h after drug administration. The high levels were sustained for 9 days after drug administration was terminated. These actions were indicative of labilization of kidney lysosomal membrane by the drug molecules, the membrane being repaired and integrity restored some days following termination of drug administration.

Increased cathepsin D-like activity in cortex, tubules, and glomeruli isolated from rats with experimental nephrotic syndrome

We have examined the activity and distribution of cathepsin D (EC 3.4.23.5), a major renal lysosomal endoproteinase, in the various anatomical and functional areas of normal rat kidney. Cathepsin D-like activities (delta A280/h per mg of protein) in normal rat tissues were: cortex, 0.78 +/- 0.05, n = 37; medulla, 0.62 +/- 0.03, n = 12; papilla, 0.63 +/- 0.04, n = 12; tubules, 0.74 +/- 0.04, n = 28; glomeruli, 0.59 +/- 0.03, n = 28; and liver, 0.41 +/- 0.02, n = 28. Enzyme activity was maximal at pH 3.0-3.5 and inhibited more than 90% by pepstatin (6.7 micrograms/ml), suggesting that the enzyme is cathepsin D. In subsequent experiments we measured cathepsin D-like activity in cortex, tubules and glomeruli isolated from rats with puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)-induced nephrotic syndrome. Treated animals (15 mg of PAN/100g body wt., intraperitoneally) developed proteinuria beginning 4 days after injection and exceeding 900 mg/24h on day 9. In two separate experiments involving 52 animals we observed a significant increase in cathepsin D-like activity in cortex (+82.7%), tubules (+109.6%) and glomeruli (+54.7%) isolated from PAN-treated rats killed during marked proteinuria (day 9, mean total urinary protein excretion: 937 +/- 94 mg/24h). This increase was observed whether the activity was expressed per mg of DNA or per mg of protein. Increased cathepsin D-like activity was first observed in cortex and tubules coincident with the onset of proteinurea (day 4, mean total urinary protein excretion: 112 +/- 23 mg/24h). In contrast with the significant elevation of renal cathepsin D-like activity, the activity (nmol/h per mg of protein) of alpha-L-fucosidase (EC 3.2.1.51), a non-proteolytic enzyme, was markedly decreased in the identical samples used for the measurement of cathepsin D-like activity: cortex (-46.4%); tubules (-46.1%); and glomeruli (-38.5%). In addition to changes in renal enzyme activities, PAN-treated rats excreted large amounts of cathepsin D-like activity in their urine (beginning on day 3) compared with nearly undetectable cathepsin D-like activity in the urine from control rats. The significant increases in glomerular and tubular cathepsin D activity may reflect an important role for this enzyme in the pathophysiology associated with PAN-induced nephrotic syndrome.

Characterization of a cytosolic protein inhibiting lysosomal acid cholesteryl ester hydrolase

An inhibitor of lysosomal acid cholesteryl ester hydrolase (Acid CEH), (EC 3.1.1.13) was found in the cytosolic fraction of rat liver and various other tissues. The extent of the inhibitory effect was dependent on the concentration of the cytosolic protein. The Acid CEH inhibitor was heat-labile, non-dialyzable, and its inhibitory activity significantly decreased by trypsin or chymotrypsin digestion, but not by lipase digestion. The inhibitor had no effect on the activity of cathepsin D, beta-glucuronidase and acid phosphatase, which are other enzymes found in lysosomes. The present findings suggest that the inhibitor may be involved in the regulation of the hydrolysis of cholesteryl esters in lipoproteins that have been transferred into the liver.

Studies on kidney sialidase in normal and diabetic rats

Rat kidney cortex sialidase was studied using alpha-sialyl-(2----3)-[3H]lactitol and alpha-sialyl-(2----6)-[3H]lactitol as substrates. The enzyme was found mainly in the lysosomal fraction. Only 23% of the sialidase activity of this fraction could be solubilized by a combination of freezing-thawing, sonication and Triton X-100 treatment. The optimal pH for the lysosomal enzyme activity was 4.2 and the enzyme's Km values for alpha-sialyl-(2----3)-lactitol and alpha-sialyl-(2----6)-lactitol were 0.28 and 0.41 mM, respectively. The specific activity was twice as high with the former substrate than with the latter. Sialidase activities in dialyzed kidney cortex homogenates of streptozotocin-diabetic rats and of age-matched control rats were compared. The specific activity was found to be significantly increased in the diabetic animals when using both substrates 5950 +/- 720 (S.E.) dpm/h per mg protein (n = 7) vs. 3970 +/- 370 in the controls (n = 8) with alpha-sialyl-(2----3)-lactitol (P less than 0.025) and 2870 +/- 300 vs. 1820 +/- 170 with alpha-sialyl-(2----6)-lactitol (P less than 0.02). The activities were also found to be increased when expressed per whole kidney cortex (P less than 0.005 and P less than 0.001, respectively). The elevated sialidase activity in diabetic kidney cortex may be related to the reported decrease in sialic acid content of the glomerular basement membrane, which lowers its negative charges and which may contribute to an increased permeability to proteins.

Cleavage of oligosaccharides by rat kidney sialidase. Influence of substrate structure

The specificity of the sialidase activity present in rat kidney cortex (12 000 X g pellet) was studied with various tritiated oligosaccharidic substrates: (i) alpha NeuAc2----3 beta Gal1----4Glc-itol[3H], alpha NeuAc2----6 beta Gal1----4Glc-itol[3H]. and alpha NeuAc2----8 alpha NeuAc2----3 beta Gal1----4Glc-itol[3H] from bovine colostrum; (ii) alpha NeuAc2----6 beta Gal1----4 beta GlcNAc-itol[3H], alpha NeuAc2----3 beta Gal1----4 beta GlcNAcl----2 alpha Man1----3 beta Man1----4 GlcNAc-itol[3H] alpha NeuAc2----6 beta Gal1----4 beta GlcNAc1----2 alpha Man1----3(beta Gal 1----4GlcNAc1----2 alpha Man 1----6)beta Man1----4GlcNAc-itol[3H]et alpha NeuAc2----6 beta Gal1----4 beta GlcNAc1----2 alpha Man1----3(alpha NeuAc2----6 beta Gal1----4 beta GlcNAc1----2 alpha Man1----6)beta Man1 4GlNAc-itol[3H] isolated from the urine of a patient with mucolipidosis I. The enzyme cleaves alpha 2----3 and alpha 2----8 linkages at a greater rate than the alpha 2----6 bonds. Its activity decreases with the length of the oligosaccharidic chain. Substitution of a glucose moiety by Nacetylglucosamine results in diminished activity. The specificity of rat kidney sialidase differs from that reported for other mammalian of viral sialidases.

Chloroquine-induced inhibition of rat serum muramidase activity in vivo in relation to tissue changes

Chloroquine was tested for its inhibitory effect in vivo on the activities of rat serum and tissue muramidase. Daily administration of this anti-malarial drug to rats resulted in an appreciable reduction of kidney and liver enzyme activities 1 day after the first dose. No corresponding increases in enzyme activity were detected in the serum of treated animals up to day 9 when muramidase activity was then significantly reduced. Activity observed in the heart tissue was not affected until day 12, when the level was significantly reduced. These results suggest that chronic chloroquine administration to rats may result in an extensive inhibition of muramidase activity probably at the cellular/molecular level.

Rat-liver lysosomal sialidase. Solubilization, substrate specificity and comparison with the cytosolic sialidase

Purified liver lysosomes, prepared from rats previously injected with Triton WR-1339, exhibited sialidase activity towards sialyllactose, fetuin, submaxillary mucin (bovine) and gangliosides, and could be disrupted hypotonically with little loss in these activities. After centrifugation, the activities with sialyllactose and fetuin were largely recovered in the supernatant, demonstrating that they were originally in the intralysosomal space. The activities towards submaxillary mucin and gangliosides, on the other hand, remained in the pellet. In the supernatant, activity with fetuin or orosomucoid was markedly reduced by protease inhibitors, suggesting that proteolysis of these glycoproteins may be prerequisite to sialidase activity. The intralysosomal sialidase was solubilized from the mitochondrial-lysosomal fraction of rat liver and partially purified by Sephadex G-200, or Sephadex G-200 followed by CM-cellulose. The enzyme was maximally active at pH 4.7 with sialyllactose as substrate and had a minimum relative molecular mass of 60 000 +/- 5000 by gel filtration; it hydrolyzed a variety of sialooligosaccharides , those containing (alpha 2----3)sialyl linkages being better substrates than those with (alpha 2----6)sialyl linkages. The enzyme failed to attack submaxillary mucin and gangliosides. It was also inactive towards fetuin, orosomucoid and transferrin but capable of hydrolyzing glycopeptides from pronase digest of fetuin. In contrast to the intralysosomal sialidase, the sialidase partially purified from rat liver cytosol by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation followed by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and CM-cellulose hydrolyzed fetuin and orosomucoid to the extent about half that for sialyllactose. The enzyme was maximally active at pH 5.8 and had a relative molecular mass of approximately 60 000. It also hydrolyzed gangliosides but not submaxillary mucin.

Mode of cytotoxic action of pseudomonal leukocidin on phosphatidylinositol metabolism and activation of lysosomal enzyme in rabbit leukocytes

The cytotoxic action of leukocidin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa was supported by the following observations. (i) The destruction of rabbit leukocytes by the toxin was reduced in the absence of Ca2+ and stimulated by the addition of calcium ionophore A23187 but inhibited by EDTA, EGTA, and TMB-8, an antagonist of intracellular Ca2+ transport. (ii) Uptake of 45Ca into leukocytes exposed to the toxin was enhanced about threefold the rate of uptake into untreated cells. The increased 45Ca uptake into the cells was slightly inhibited by trifluoperazine, an inhibitor of Ca2+-calmodulin activity, but not by ruthenium red. (iii) Pseudomonal leukocidin enhanced rapidly the labeling of phosphatidylinositol, polyphosphoinositides, phosphatidic acid, and lysophosphatidic acid from [32P]phosphate. The time course experiments of the labeling and breakdown of these phospholipids suggested that the initial action of this toxin was to stimulate phosphatidic acid production, presumably causing a rapid metabolic change of phosphatidylinositol correlating with the activities of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C and 1,2-diacylglycerol kinase. It was considered that a rapid formation of phosphatidic acid and degradation of polyphosphoinositides might be related to a Ca2+ movement from extra- and intracellular space. (iv) In leukocytes exposed to the toxin, acid phosphatase activity as a marker enzyme of lysosome was activated up to 75% of the lysosomal enzyme before cell destruction. The leakage of lysosomal enzyme from the cells occurred at the almost same time as leukocyte destruction. The mode of cytotoxic action of pseudomonal leukocidin is discussed.