The role of a cathepsin D-like activity in the release of Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc alpha 2-6-sialyltransferase from rat liver Golgi membranes during the acute-phase response.

Golgi-membrane-bound Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc alpha 2-6-sialyltransferase (CMP-N-acetylneuraminate:beta-galactoside alpha 2-6-sialyltransferase, EC 2.4.99.1) behaves as an acute-phase reactant increasing about 5-fold in serum in rats suffering from inflammation. The mechanism of release from the Golgi membrane is not understood. In the present study it was found that sialyltransferase could be released from the membrane by treatment with ultrasonic vibration (sonication) followed by incubation at reduced pH. Maximum release occurred at pH 5.6, and membranes from inflamed rats released more enzyme than did membranes from controls. Galactosyltransferase (UDP-galactose:N-acetylglucosamine galactosyltransferase; EC 2.4.1.38), another Golgi-located enzyme, which does not behave as an acute-phase reactant, remained bound to the membranes under the same conditions. Release of the alpha 2-6-sialyltransferase from Golgi membranes was substantially inhibited by pepstatin A, a potent inhibitor of cathepsin D-like proteinases. Inhibition of release of the sialyltransferase also occurred after preincubation of sonicated Golgi membranes with antiserum raised against rat liver lysosomal cathepsin D. Addition of bovine spleen cathepsin D to incubation mixtures of sonicated Golgi membranes caused enhanced release of the sialyltransferase. Intact Golgi membranes were incubated at lowered pH in presence of pepstatin A to inhibit any proteinase activity at the cytosolic face; subsequent sonication showed that the sialyltransferase had been released, suggesting that the proteinase was active at the luminal face of the Golgi. Golgi membranes contained a low level of cathepsin D activity (EC 3.4.23.5); the enzyme was mainly membrane-bound, since it could only be released by extraction with Triton X-100 or incubation of sonicated Golgi membranes with 5 mM-mannose 6-phosphate. Immunoblot analysis showed that the transferase released from sonicated Golgi membranes at lowered pH had an apparent Mr of about 42,000 compared with one of about 49,000 for the membrane-bound enzyme. Values of Km for the bound and released enzyme activities were comparable and were similar to values reported previously for liver and serum enzymes. The work suggests that a major portion of sialyltransferase containing the catalytic site is released from a membrane anchor by a cathepsin D-like proteinase located at the luminal face of the Golgi and that this explains the acute-phase behaviour of this enzyme.     

Solubilization and stabilization of human liver glycoprotein sialyltransferase.

Triton X-100 is increasingly effective in solubilizing human liver glycoprotein (asialofetuin) sialytransferase (CMP-N-acetylneuraminate:D-galactosyl-glycoprotien N-acetylneuraminyltransferase, EC 2.4.99.1) activity as its concentration is increased in the homogenizing buffer. At the optimal concentration of 1.5% (v/v), essentially all of the homogenate sialyltransferase activity was solubilized into the supernatant fluid. Higher concentrations of Triton X-100 inhibited sialyltransferase activity. Several kinetic properties of the solubilized asialofetuin-sialyltransferase activity were compared to those of the membrane-bound enzyme(s) (in homogenates made without Triton X-100 or in resuspended pellets). No major difference was apparent, suggesting that solubilization has not significantly altered the properties of sialyltransferase. The solubilized sialyltransferase activity is quite unstable, losing approximately 50% of its activity after one week of storage at 4 degrees C. Various detergents (Zwittergent, sodium taurocholate and sodium deoxycholate) are differentially effective in stabilizing the solubilized activity. Sodium taurocholate (1.5%, w/v) was most effective with no loss in activity after 40 days and minimal loss (14%) after 60 days storage at 4 degrees C. The solubilized sialyltransferase preparation retains full activity after storage in the frozen state (-20 degrees C) for at least 159 days.     

An effect of colchicine on galactosyl- and sialyltransferases of rat liver Golgi membranes

Colchicine inhibited the activity of the galactosyl- and sialyltransferases of rat liver Golgi membranes. The sialyltransferase was more sensitive to the drug than galactosyltransferase since it was inhibited to a greater extent and at lower concentrations of colchicine than the galactosyltransferase. Two soluble enzymes, i.e. that from rat serum and that isolated from bovine milk, were not inhibited by colchicine. Even with very high concentrations of colchicine a marked stimulation of activity was observed. The data suggest that the inhibition observed in the Golgi membranes is in some way related to the arrangement of the enzymes in the lipid bilayer. In support of this hypothesis, the milk galactosyltransferase became very sensitive to colchicine after incorporation of the enzyme into lipid vesicles. The incorporation of colchicine into Golgi membranes was shown to decrease the order parameter as determined by electron spin resonance which reflects an increased fluidity of the Golgi membranes. A change in fluidity may be responsible for the inhibition of enzyme activity at least in part.     

Purification and properties of two enzymes catalyzing galactose transfer to GM2 ganglioside from rat liver Golgi

An enzyme activity which catalyzed the transfer of galactose from UDP-galactose to GM2 ganglioside was demonstrated in rat liver homogenate and enriched 38-fold in specific activity by preparation of Golgi membranes. This activity could be solubilized from Golgi membranes by sonication and extraction with 1% Triton X-100. The solubilized activity catalyzed the formation of GM1 ganglioside and was completely dependent upon the addition of acceptor. The rate of galactose incorporation was constant for up to 5 h at 30 degrees C. This enzyme activity was further purified by gel filtration on Sepharose CL-6B and ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose. The elution position on gel filtration corresponded to a molecular weight for the enzyme of 38,000 which was in good agreement with that obtained by sedimentation velocity studies. Ion exchange chromatography resolved GM2 ganglioside galactosyltransferase into two species. The more basic enzyme (I) comprising 28% of the recovered activity was not retarded by the column, whereas enzyme II was eluted from the resin following the application of a salt gradient. Net purification was 120- to 140-fold for each enzyme with a total recovery of 42%. Unlike the activity in the Golgi extract, the purified enzymes I and II were labile to freezing and could be stored at -20 degrees C only in the presence of 50% glycerol. Both enzymes I and II had similar molecular weights and Michaelis constants and both had a strict requirement for Mn2+. Properties which distinguish the two enzymes included pH optima (enzyme I 7.0, enzyme II 6.0) and surfactant requirements. Neither enzyme was active following removal of Triton X-100 from the preparation. Among a series of glycolipids tested for ability to serve as substrates for galactose transfer only GM2 and asialo-GM2 ganglioside served as acceptors.     

Orientation of glycoprotein galactosyltransferase and sialyltransferase enzymes in vesicles derived from rat liver Golgi apparatus

UDP-galactose: N-acetylglucosamine galactosyltransferase (GT) and CMP- sialic:desialylated transferrin sialyltransferse (ST) activities of rat liver Golgi apparatus are membrane-bound enzymes that can be released by treatment with Triton X-100. When protein substrates are used to assay these enzymes in freshly prepared Golgi vesicles, both activities are enhanced about eightfold by the addition of Triton X-100. When small molecular weight substrates are used, however, both activities are only enhanced about twofold by the addition of detergent. The enzymes remain inaccessible to large protein substrates even after freezing and storage of the Golgi preparation for 2 mo in liquid nitrogen. Accessibility to small molecular and weight substrates increases significantly after such storage. GT and ST activities in Golgi vesicles are not destroyed by treatment with trypsin, but are destroyed by this treatment if the vesicles are first disrupted with Triton X-100. Treatment of Golgi vesicles with low levels of filipin, a polyene antibiotic known to complex with cholesterol in biological membranes, also results in enhanced trypsin susceptibility of both glycosyltransferases. Maximum destruction of the glycosyltransferase activities by trypsin is obtained at filipin to total cholesterol weight ratios of approximately 1.6 or molar ratios of approximately 1. This level of filipin does not solubilize the enzymes but causes both puckering of Golgi membranes visible by electron microscopy and disruption of the Golgi vesicles as measured by release of serum albumin. When isolated Golgi apparatus is fixed with glutaraldehyde to maintain the three-dimensional orientation of cisternae and secretory vesicles, and then treated with filipin, cisternal membranes on both cis and trans faces of the apparatus as well as secretory granule membranes appear to be affected about equally. These results indicate that liver Golgi vesicles as isolated are largely oriented with GT and ST on the luminal side of the membranes, which corresponds to the cisternal compartment of the Golgi apparatus in the hepatocyte. Cholesterol is an integral part of the membrane of the Golgi apparatus and its distribution throughout the apparatus is similar to that of both transferases.     

Effect of lysolecithin in solubilizing membrane-bound glycosyltransferases.

Microsomal membranes were solubilized by incubation with lysolecithin which caused considerable release of galactosyl- and N-acetylglucosaminyl-transferase into a high-speed supernatant fraction. With a critical concentration of lysolecithin (2.5 mg/10 mg protein in 1 mL microsome suspension), there was a maximal binding of radioactive lysolecithin to the sediment fraction obtained after high-speed centrifugation. Increase of lysolecithin concentration (above 2.5 mg/mL) in the incubation mixture caused a progressive release of the enzymes into the supernatant fraction. Lysolecithin binding to the membrane was greatly inhibited by 1 M NaCl, and high salt concentration also inactivated galactosyltransferase in the sediment, suggesting an electrostatic interaction between lysolecithin and membrane enzyme. In contrast, high NaCl concentration had no inhibitory effect on the enzyme activity in the sediment when the fraction was prepared by treatment with Triton X-100. Lysolecithin-treated microsomal sediment and supernatant galactosyltransferase was inactivated by oleoyllysophosphatidic acid but not by palmitoyllysophosphatidic acid or egg yold lysophosphatidic acid. Triton X-100 treated microsomal fractions were also similarly affected by different species of lysophosphatidic acid. The results suggested a similarity of interactions of lysophosphatidic fatty acyl species with lysolecithin and Triton-treated galactosyltransferase.     

Different reactivity of two Brain sialyltransferases towards sulfhydryl reagents. Evidence for a thiol group involved in the nucleotide-sugar binding site of the NeuAcα2-3Galβ1-3GalNAc α(2–6)sialyltransferase

We have studied the amino-acid residues involved in the catalytic activity of two distinct brain sialyltransferases acting on fetuin and asialofetuin. These two enzymes were strongly inhibited byN-bromosuccinimide, a specific blocking reagent for tryptophan residues. This result suggests the involvement of such residues in the catalytic process of the two sialytransferases. Furthermore, chemical modifications by various sulfhydryl reagents led to a strong inhibition of the fetuin sialyltransferase while the asialofetuin sialyltransferase was only slightly inhibited. For a more thorough understanding of the thiol inactivation mechanism of the fetuin sialyltransferase, we studied in more detail the reactivity of this enzyme with NEM (N-ethylmaleimide), an irreversible reagent. The time-dependent inactivation followed first-order kinetics and these kinetic data afforded presumptive evidence for the binding of 1 mol NEM per mol of enzyme. Only CMP-NeuAc protected the enzyme against NEM inactivation effectively. MnCl₂ did not enhance the protective effect of CMP-NeuAc. The modifications of the fetuin sialyltransferase kinetic parameters by NEM showed a competitive mechanism between NEM and CMP-NeuAc. The results suggest the involvement of a sulfhydryl residue in or near the nucleotide-sugar binding may induce a change in conformation of the protein, leading to a decreased accessibility of this thiol group located near the nucleotide-sugar binding site). This SH group, is essential to the enzyme activity, which is not the case for the asialofetuin sialyltransferase.Abbreviations p-CMB p-chloromercuribenzoic acid - CPDS 6,6-dithiodinicotinic acid carboxypyridine disulfide - DTNB 5,5-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) - NEM N-ethylmaleimide - DTT dithiothreitol - Mes 2-(N-morpholino)ethane sulfonic acid - NeuAc N-acetylneuraminic acid     

Photo-induced inactivation and uncoupling of gonadotropin receptors in rat ovarian plasma membrane

Extraction of membranes of Lactobacillus plantarum with Triton X-100/glycerol solubilized up to 80% of the undecaprenol kinase activity. Fractionation of the extract by gel chromatography separated endogenous phospholipid from the enzyme but simultaneously inactivated the enzyme. The kinase was reactivated by reconstitution with various synthetic phosphatidylcholines and purified L. plantarum phospholipids. Ditetradecanoylphosphatidylcholine and lysylphosphatidylglycerol were the best activators. Furthermore, the optimal environment for enzyme stimulation was provided by different defined molar ratios of Triton X-100/phospholipid. The ratios for the phospholipids tested ranged from 1.25 to 6.3. Similar substrate specificity and kinetic constants were observed for both the solubilized and reconstituted enzymes suggesting that no fundamental changes in the enzyme activity occurred during the delipidation-reconstitution process.     

Evidence for an O-glycan sialylation system in brain. Characterization of a beta-galactoside alpha 2,3-sialyltransferase from rat brain regulating the expression of an alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminide alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase activity

We present evidence for the existence in rat brain of several sialyltransferases able to sialylate sequentially asialofetuin. [14C]Sialylated glycans of asialofetuin were analyzed by gel filtration. Three types of [14C]sialylated glycans were synthesized: N-glycans and monosialylated and disialylated O-glycans. The varying effects of N-ethylmaleimide, lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPtdCho) and trypsin, were helpful in the identification of these different sialyltransferases. One of them, selectively inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide, was identified as the Neu5Ac alpha 2----3Gal beta 1----3GalNAc-R:alpha 2----6 sialyltransferase previously described [Baubichon-Cortay, H., Serres-Guillaumond, M., Louisot, P. and Broquet, P. (1986) Carbohydr. Res. 149, 209-223]. This enzyme was responsible for the synthesis of disialylated O-glycans. LysoPtdCho and trypsin selectively inhibited the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of monosialylated O-glycan. N-ethylmaleimide, lysoPtdCho and trypsin did not inhibit Neu5Ac transfer onto N-glycans, giving evidence for three different molecular species. To identify the enzyme responsible for monosialylated O-glycan synthesis, we used another substrate: Gal beta 1----3GalNAc--protein obtained after galactosylation of desialylated ovine mucin by a GalNAc-R:beta 1----3 galactosyltransferase from porcine submaxillary gland. This acceptor was devoid of N-glycans and of NeuAc in alpha 2----3 linkages on the galactose residue. When using N-ethylmaleimide we obtained the synthesis of only one product, a monosialylated structure. After structural analysis by HPLC on SAX and SiNH2 columns, we identified this product as Neu5Ac alpha 2----3Gal beta 1----3GalNAc. The enzyme leading to synthesis of this monosialylated O-glycan was identified as a Gal beta 1----3GalNAc-R:alpha 2----3 sialyltransferase. When using lysoPtdCho and trypsin, sialylation was completely abolished, although the Neu5Ac alpha 2----3Gal beta 1----3GalNAc-R:alpha 2----6 sialyltransferase was not inhibited. We provided thus evidence for the interpendence between the two enzymes, the alpha 2----3 sialyltransferase regulates the alpha 2----6 sialyltransferase activity since it synthesizes the alpha 2----6 sialyltransferase substrate.     

Characterization and solubilization of membrane bound diacylglycerol lipases from bovine brain

Bovine brain contains two diacylglycerol lipases. One is localized in purified microsomes and the other is found in the plasma membrane fraction. The microsomal enzyme is markedly stimulated by the non-ionic detergent, Triton X-100, and Ca2+, whereas the plasma membrane diacylglycerol lipase is strongly inhibited by Triton X-100 and Ca2+ has no effect on its enzymic activity. Both enzymes were solubilized using 0.25% Triton X-100. The solubilized enzymes followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The apparent Km values for microsomal and plasma membrane enzymes are 30.5 and 12.0 microM respectively. Both lipases are strongly inhibited by RHC 80267, with Ki values for microsomal and plasma membrane diacylglycerol lipases of 70 and 43 microM, respectively. The retention of microsomal diacylglycerol lipase on a concanavalin A-Sepharose column and its elution by methyl alpha-D-mannoside indicates the glycoprotein nature of this enzyme.     

Properties of uridine diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase from Golgi apparatus of liver

Golgi apparatus isolated from cat liver contained UDPglucose pyrophosphorylase (UTP:alpha-D-glucose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.9) activity. The results of washing suggested that pyrophosphorylase was bound firmly to Golgi membranes. Moreover, the enzyme was activated by Triton X-100 in the same extent as galactosyltransferase, a typical Golgi apparatus enzyme. Two-substrate kinetic studies were performed with the enzymes from cytosol and Golgi fractions. The soluble enzyme showed an apparent 2.5-fold greater activity for the glucose 1-phosphate than for UTP, while pyrophosphorylase of Golgi apparatus had the same affinity for the two substrates. A random mechanism was observed with a direct dependence of apparent Michaelis constant values on the concentration of second substrate for soluble enzyme. In contrast, with Golgi enzyme one ligand had no effect on the binding of the other.     

Studies on the latency of UDP-galactose-asialo-mucin galactosyltransferase activity in microsomal and Golgi subfractions from rat liver

The activity of UDPgalactose-asialo-mucin galactosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.74) in microsomal and Golig subfractions was stimulated 2.4-fold after disruption of the membrane permeability barrier by hypotonic incubation. In the presence of Triton X-100, galactose transfer to asialo-mucin was increased 12-fold in rough microsomes and 5-fold in smooth microsomes both with and without hypotonic incubation; while in the Golgi subfractions no stimulation by detergent was observed. These experiments indicate differences in enzyme-lipid or enzyme-protein interactions in microsomes and Golgi membranes. Furthermore, these results strongly support the conclusion that the UDP-galactose-asialo-mucin galactosyltransferase activity in microsomal fractions is not due to contamination by Golgi vesicles but represents an enzyme activity endogenous to the endoplasmic reticulum.     

The effect of linoleic acid and benzyl alcohol on the activity of glycosyltransferases of rat liver golgi membranes and some soluble glycosyltransferases

The effects of the membrane perturbing reagents linoleic acid and benzyl alcohol on the activities of four rat liver Golgi membrane enzymes, N-acetylglucosaminyl-, N-acetylgalactosaminyl-, galactosyl-, and sialytransferases and several soluble glycosyltransferases, bovine milk galactosyl- and N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases and porcine submaxillary N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferases have been studied. In rat liver Golgi membranes, linoleic acid inhibited the activities of N-acetylgalactosaminyl- and galactosyltransferases by 50% or greater, sialyltransferase by 10–15%, and N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase not at all. The isolated bovine milk N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase and porcine submaxillary N-acetylgalactosylaminyltranferase were not inhibited but bovine milk galactosyltransferase was inhibited by 95% or greater. The inhibition by linoleic acid on Golgi membrane galactosyltransferase appears to be a direct effect of the reagent on the enzyme. Incorporation of bovine milk galactosyltransferase into liposomes formed from saturated phospholipids, DMPC, DPPC, and DSPC (dimyristoyl-, dipalmitoyl-, and distearoylphosphatidylcholine) prevented inhibition of the enzyme activity suggesting that the lipid formed a barrier which did not allow linoleic acid access to the enzyme. The water soluble benzyl alcohol was more effective in inhibiting enzymes of the isolated rat liver Golgi complex. All four glycosyltransferases were inhibited, the N-acetylglucosaminyl- and N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferases by more than 95%. A higher concentration of benzyl alcohol was necessary to inhibit the galactosyltransferases than was required for the other Golgi enzymes. Benzyl alcohol also inhibited the isolated bovine milk N-acetylglucosaminyl- and galactosyltransferases 90% to 95%, respectively, but did not affect the isolated porcine submaxillary gland N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase. Benzyl alcohol did not inhibit the milk galactosyltransferase incorporated into DMPC or DPPC liposomes but showed a complex effect on the activity of the enzyme incorporated into DSPC vesicles, a stimulation of activity at low concentrations followed by an inhibition. A lipid environment consisting of saturated lipids appears to present a barrier to inhibiting substances such as linoleic acid and benzyl alcohol, or lipid may stabilize the active conformation of the enzyme. The different effects of these reagents on four transferases of the Golgi complex suggest that the lipid environment around these enzymes may be different for each transferase.     

Localization of oxidized nocotinamide--adenine dinucleotide glycohydrolase in the mouse liver nuclear envelope.

NAD+ glycohydrolase activity located in the nuclear envelope was maximally solubilized by treatment with 0.1--0.2% Triton X-100. The residual activity largely represents the chromatin-associated NAD+ glycohydrolase. Under these conditions the phospholipids were extensively solubilized (over 90%) while leaving the nuclei physically stable, although the nuclear membranes were removed, as shown by electron microscopy. After Triton X-100 treatment, deoxyribonuclease I did not significantly affect the residual NAD+ glycohydrolase activity, although the DNA was completely broken down. This enzyme activity can be released from the nuclear pellet by incubation with phospholipase C. For comparative studies, the glucose 6-phosphatase activity, known to be present in the nuclear envelope, was investigated. Treatment with 0.01% Triton X-100 released 10--20% of the phospholipids, but without solubilizing either glucose 6-phosphatase or NAD+ glycohydrolase. Higher Triton X-100 concentrations (0.1--1.0%) inhibited glucose 6-phosphatase, but not NAD+ glycohydrolase activity. NAD+ glycohydrolase is apparently present in a latent form in the nuclear envelope. Glucose 6-phosphatase, However, shows no such latency.     

Reconstitution of a porcine submaxillary gland beta-D-galactoside alpha 2----3 sialyltransferase into liposomes

Form A of the beta-D-galactoside alpha 2----3 sialyltransferase from porcine submaxillary glands was incorporated into liposomes. Incorporation was achieved by gel filtration of the enzyme in the presence of octylglucoside-phospholipid micelles. As detergent was removed during gel filtration, liposomes (average diameter, 370 A) with bound enzyme were formed and emerged unretarded from the column. The recovery of enzyme activity in the liposomes was about 40% of the initial activity starting with as little as 9 micrograms of transferase. Chromatography on Sepharose CL6B and sucrose density gradient centrifugation confirmed the association of enzyme with liposomes. In contrast to Form A, Form B of the sialyltransferase, which lacks the proposed lipid-binding domain of Form A, cannot be incorporated into liposomes. Form A of the transferase was also incorporated into liposomes composed of phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, and a mixture of phospholipids from the membranes of the Golgi apparatus from porcine submaxillary glands. Although the transferase was distributed about equally on the internal and external surface of the phosphatidylcholine liposomes, most of the transferase was on the external surface in liposomes containing cholesterol (72%) or in liposomes containing Golgi apparatus phospholipids (88%). The enzyme bound to phosphatidylcholine liposomes was shown by kinetic analysis to have the same activity as that found in the presence of activity-stimulating detergents such as Triton X-100. Enzyme incorporated into cholesterol-containing liposomes had the same activity. In contrast, enzyme bound to liposomes formed from the Golgi apparatus mixed phospholipids had a lower activity, but one similar to that of the transferase in Golgi apparatus membranes. These studies suggest that the composition of a biological membrane may well influence the orientation of the transferase in the membrane as well as modulate its enzymic activity.     

Galactose transfer in the membranes of human milk fat globules (author's transl)]

Galactosyltransferase which catalyzes the transfer from UDP-galactose to either endogeneous glycoproteins, free N-acetylglucosamine or N-acetylglucosaminyl residues in the carbohydrate portion of glycoproteins, or to glucose when alpha-lactalbumin is added, occurs in human milk fat globule membranes. Various treatments (washing of membranes, freezing and thawing) did not affect this activity. In the presence of Triton X-100, the enzyme shows appreciable latency, This detergent was then used to solubilize the enzyme and to study its main characteristics. A competition and a heat stability experiment show that only one enzyme acts on two substrates (free N-acetylglucosamine or desialyzed and degalactosylated fetuin). UDP-galactose hydrolase activities were very low compared to those of the bovine milk fat globule membranes. Other characteristic enzymes of Golgi vesicles were found in human milk fat globules membranes. It is of interest to find out whether this is the result of contamination with cytoplasmic particles or whether it reflects the participation of Golgi vesicles in human milk fat globule secretion.     

Modulation of solubilized brain fucosyltransferase activity by phospholipids

Phospholipids interact on Triton X-100 solubilized GDP-fucose: asialofetuin fucosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.68) isolated from sheep brain. This enzymatic activity is modulated by charged phospholipids. In particular, phosphatidic acid and analogues markedly inhibit the transfer of fucose from GDP-[14C]fucose. Kinetic studies show that phosphatidic acid interacts as a mixed inhibitor: the velocity and affinity of fucosyltransferase for the GDP-fucose and asialofetuin substrates are strongly decreased. However, this inhibitory effect is not related to stereospecificity, and the different parameters involved in the enzymatic reaction of glycosylation are not modified. The nature of fatty acids and chemical bond (ester or ether) occurring in the carbohydrate chain does not modify the behaviour of phosphatidic acid with respect to fucosyltransferase activity. Further, the physical state of phosphatidic acid (gel phase or liquid crystalline phase) has no influence. However, as the inhibition is closely pH-dependent, these data suggest that phosphatidic acid might directly interact with the active site of the enzyme and induce a conformational change.     

SIALYLTRANSFERASES IN RAT BRAIN: INTRACELLULAR LOCALIZATION AND SOME MEMBRANE PROPERTIES

Abstract— Total rat cerebral homogenate, with nuclei removed, yielded sialyltransferase activity peaks that were distinct from the protein distribution profile in a continuous sucrose density gradient. Marker enzyme studies and electron microscopic examinations on the gradient fractions suggested that most of the sialyltransferase activities were not associated with the synaptosomes.
The sialyltransferases appeared to be localized in the smooth microsomal membranes and the Golgi complex derivatives. The sialyltransferase activities were stimulated by non-ionic detergent mixture, Triton CF-54/Tween 80 (2/1, w/w), the effect being much more pronounced with exogenous substrates. The stimulatory effect was dependent on detergent concentration. With 1 mg detergent mixture per mg enzyme protein, the percent increases in enzyme activities with the different substrates were: endogenous glycolipids, 100; endogenous glycoproteins, 50; exogenous GM_1a, 700; exogenous DS-fetuin, 230. The action of the nonionic detergents appears to be on a hydrophobic segment of the enzyme molecule, bearing the active site, which is buried in the membrane lipid bilayer. This was substantiated by the partial trypsin resistance of the sialyltransferase activities and the abolition of that resistance when trypsiniza-tion was performed in the presence of nonionic detergents. Furthermore, the sialyltransferase activities were markedly inhibited by organic solvents; and these inhibitory effects were inversely proportional to the solvent dielectric constants.     

Enzymic characteristics of fat globule membranes from bovine colostrum and bovine milk

Fat globule membranes have been isolated from bovine colostrum and bovine milk by the dispersion of the fat in sucrose solutions at 4 degrees C and fractionation by centrifugation through discontinuous sucrose gradients. The morphology and enzymic characteristics of the separated fractions were examined. Fractions comprising a large proportion of the total extracted membrane were thus obtained having high levels of the Golgi marker enzymes UDP-galactose N-acetylglucosamine beta-4-galactosyltransferase and thiamine pyrophosphatase. A membrane-derived form of the galactosyltransferase has been solubilized from fat and purified to homogeneity. This enzyme is larger in molecular weight than previously studied soluble galactosyltransferases, but resembles in size the galactosyltransferase of lactating mammary Golgi membranes. In contrast, when fat globule membranes were prepared by traditional procedures, which involved washing the fat at higher temperatures, before extraction, galactosyltransferase was not present in the membranes, having been released into supernatant fractions, When the enzyme released by this procedure was partially purified and examined by gel filtration, it was found to be of a degraded form resembling in size the soluble galactosyltransferase of milk. The release is therefore attributed to the action of proteolytic enzymes. Our observations contrast with previous biochemical studies which suggested that Golgi membranes do not contribute to the milk fat globule membrane. They are, however, consistent with electron microscope studies of the fat secretion process, which indicate that secretory vesicle membranes, derived from the Golgi apparatus, may provide a large proportion of the fat globule membrane.     

Proteolytic stimulation and solubilization of membrane-bound acetylcholinesterase from muscle sarcotubular system

Incubation of membranes derived from sarcotubular system of rabbit skeletal muscle with increasing concentrations of Triton X-100 produced both stimulation of the AChE activity and solubilization of this enzyme. Mild proteolytic treatment of microsomal membranes produced a several fold activation of the still membrane-bound acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Attempts were made to solubilize AChE from microsomal membranes by proteolytic treatment. About 30–40% of the total enzyme activity could be solubilized by means of trypsin or papain. Short trypsin treatment of the microsomal membranes produced first an activation of the membrane-bound enzyme followed by solubilization. Incubation of muscle microsomes for a short time with papain yielded a significant portion of soluble enzyme. Membrane-bound enzyme activation was measured after a prolonged incubation period. These results are compared with those of solubilization obtained by treatment of membranes with progressive concentrations of Triton X-100. The occurrence of molecular forms in protease-solubilized AChE was investigated by means of centrifugation analysis and slab gel electrophoresis. Centrifugation on sucrose gradients revealed two main components of 4.4S and 10–11S in either trypsin or papain-solubilized AChE. These components behaved as hydrophilic species whereas the Triton solubilized AChE showed an amphipatic character. Application of slab gel electrophoresis showed the occurrence of forms with molecular weights of 350,000; 175,000; 165,000; 85,000 and 76,000. The stimulation of membrane-bound AChE by detergents or proteases would indicate that most of the enzyme molecules or their active sites are sequestered into the lipid bilayer through lipid-protein or protein-protein interactions and these are broken by proteolytic digestion of the muscle microsomes.