On the topology of the catalase biosynthesis and-degradation in the guinea pig liver

Summary The biosynthesis, transport and degradation of catalase have been studied in the guinea pig liver parenchymal cell using 2-allyl-2-isopropylacetamide (AIA) as an inhibitor of de novo formation of catalase. Total catalase activity was assayed biochemically; cytoplasmic catalase was measured microspectrophotometrically after quantitative diaminobenzidine staining of the liver. By morphometry, number and size of peroxisomes in catalase stained sections were determined. From our data we conclude that (1) the final step in the catalase formation takes place inside peroxisomes, (2) catalase is transported from the peroxisomes into the cytoplasm, (3) in the cytoplasm catalase is degraded. These conclusions in part confirm the topological model on the intracellular catalase biosynthesis pathway of Lazarow and de Duve (1973) except for the presence of cytoplasmic catalase which is released from the peroxisomes as proposed earlier by Jones and Masters (1975).     

Catalase in guinea pig hepatocytes is localized in cytoplasm, nuclear matrix and peroxisomes

We have compared the intracellular localization of catalase and another peroxisomal marker enzyme, alpha-hydroxy acid oxidase (HAOX), in the livers of guinea pig and rat using immunoelectron microscopy and subcellular fractionation combined with immunoblotting and enzyme activity determination. Antibodies against both enzymes were raised in rabbits and their specificities established by immunoblotting. By immunoelectron microscopy, gold particles representing antigenic sites for catalase were found in guinea pig hepatocytes not only in peroxisomes but also in the cytoplasm and the nuclear matrix. In rat liver, however, catalase was localized exclusively in peroxisomes with no cytoplasmic labeling. Moreover, in both species HAOX was found only in peroxisomes. Subcellular fractionation revealed that purified peroxisomes from both species contained comparable levels of each, catalase and HAOX activities. The total catalase activity, however, was substantially higher in guinea pig and most of this excess catalase was in the cytosolic fraction with some activity also in nuclei. In rat liver, 30 to 40% of both enzymes and in guinea pig liver 30% of HAOX were recovered in the supernatant fraction implying that the fragility of peroxisomes in both species is quite comparable. These observations establish the occurrence of extraperoxisomal catalase in guinea pig liver. The catalase in the cytoplasm and nucleus of liver parenchymal cells is most probably involved in scavenging of H2O2, protecting the cell against toxic and mutagenic effects of this noxious agent.     

Association of the liver peroxisomal fatty acyl-CoA beta-oxidation system with the synthesis of bile acids

The association of liver peroxisomal fatty acyl-CoA beta-oxidizing system (FAOS) with the synthesis of bile acids was investigated. When rats were given clofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator and stimulator of peroxisomal FAOS, the biosynthesis of bile acids was significantly increased. Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, another peroxisome proliferator, also increased the biosynthesis of bile acids. On the other hand, administration of orotate, an inhibitor of mitochondrial FAOS activity, did not affect the biosynthesis. It is known that fatty acyl-CoA oxidase [EC 1.3.99.3] in peroxisomal FAOS conjugates with catalase [EC 1.11.1.6]. When the catalase activity of liver peroxisomes was irreversibly inhibited by administration of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (amino-triazole), the biosynthesis of bile acids was suppressed to about one-third, and the serum cholesterol level was increased. However, the bile acid components of the bile obtained from aminotriazole-treated rats were not essentially different from those of control rats, and no accumulation of intermediates of bile acid synthesis was found in this experiment. Peroxisomal FAOS activity of the liver from amino-triazole-treated rats was considerably lower than that of control liver. The above results indicate that liver peroxisomes play a role in the biosynthesis of bile acids in vivo.     

Zonal heterogeneity of peroxisome proliferation and morphology in rat liver after gemfibrozil treatment

The effect of gemfibrozil on the fine structure of peroxisomes across the rat liver lobule was investigated by light and electron microscopy using the alkaline diaminobenzidine (DAB) medium for the visualization of catalase peroxidatic activity. The oral administration of gemfibrozil for 2 weeks induces a striking heterogeneity in the lobular distribution of peroxisomes. The size and shape of peroxisomes, variety of matrix modifications, catalase content, and position within the cell, are functions of the zonal localization of the hepatocytes. The largest and most numerous peroxisomes were found in the centrilobular region indicating that these cells are most sensitive to peroxisome proliferation. On the other hand, the greatest variety of peroxisome shapes and matrix alterations (tubules and plates) was seen more peripherally in the mid-zonal and periportal regions. The larger, round centrilobular peroxisomes stained less intensely than the elongated peroxisomes found more peripherally, indicating a discrepancy between peroxisome size and catalase content. A distinct population of small irregularly shaped peroxisomes, lacking matrix specializations and containing variable catalase content, was found in the mid-zonal region. Peroxisomes in the centrilobular region were located within areas of the cell containing SER and glycogen while those in the more peripheral region were relegated to areas of the cytoplasm separate from RER and SER. In addition to modifications of peroxisomes, gemfibrozil treatment resulted in a proliferation and formation of whorled configurations of SER. This was particularly evident in the mid-zonal region, where single peroxisomal profiles could be seen surrounded by whorls of SER membranes. The results suggest that rat liver hepatocytes of the centrilobular region are the most sensitive to peroxisome proliferation and those of the periportal area are most susceptible to peroxisome matrix alterations after gemfibrozil treatment.     

Peroxisomes in guinea pig liver: their peculiar morphological features may reflect certain aspects of lipoprotein metabolism in this species

Summary We have studied the ultrastructural characteristics and the distribution of peroxisomes in guinea pig liver using electron-microscopic cytochemistry for catalase and morphometry. By light microscopy, peroxisomes appear as dark 0.2–0.5 m granules in the cytoplasm of liver parenchymal cells, often forming large clusters that measure up to 5 m across. Rows of single peroxisomes or their aggregates line the sinusoidal surface of hepatocytes. Electron microscopy reveals that clusters of up to 25 individual peroxisomes are usually located in the subsinusoidal region of parenchymal cells. The mean diameter and the volume density of peroxisomes are larger in pericentral than in periportal regions of the liver lobule. Whereas large amounts of lipoprotein particles with a mean diameter of 160 nm (chylomicrons) are present in the Disse space, the cytoplasm of parenchymal cells contains multivesicular bodies and abundant lipid droplets. In addition, the Golgi complexes show distended lipoprotein-filled vesicles suggesting active biosynthesis of lipoproteins. We propose that the unique features of peroxisomes in guinea pig liver, such as cluster formation and alignment along the sinusoidal surface, may be related to the high levels of lipoproteins in the portal circulation and their hepatic catabolism in this species.     

Biogenesis of peroxisomes: sequential biosynthesis of the membrane and matrix proteins in the course of hepatic regeneration

The biogenesis of peroxisomes was investigated in the model of regenerating rat liver after partial hepatectomy (PH), using analytical differential centrifugation in combination with immunoblotting and in vivo pulse labeling as well as immunoelectron microscopy. The total activity of catalase decreased sharply after PH, returning gradually over several days to normal levels. In the 16 to 32-h period the enzyme activity started to increase first in the heavy mitochondrial fraction, shifting at 28 h to the crude peroxisomal and at 32 h to the microsomal fraction, suggesting de novo formation of peroxisomes by budding or fragmentation from larger aggregates. Whereas most peroxisomal matrix proteins were reduced during the 16 to 32-h period after PH, the 26 and 70 kDa peroxisomal membrane proteins were increased. Moreover, in vivo pulse labeling studies with radioactive leucine showed significantly higher levels of specific activity in the peroxisomal membrane than in the matrix subfractions at 16 h with increasing labeling of the matrix at 32 h after PH. These findings suggest that de novo formation of peroxisomes in regenerating rat liver is initiated by the synthesis of membrane proteins and is followed by that of the matrix components.     

Immunocytochemical localization of serine: pyruvate aminotransferase in peroxisomes of the human liver parenchymal cells

The localization of serine:pyruvate aminotransferase (SPT) in human liver was investigated by indirect immunoenzyme and protein A-gold techniques. By light microscopy, diaminobenzidine reaction product was present in cytoplasmic granules of the parenchymal cells. By electron microscopy, gold particles indicating the antigenic sites for SPT were exclusively confined to peroxisomes but not to mitochondria. By double labeling technique, both peroxisomal marker enzyme, catalase and SPT were detected in the same peroxisomes. Quantitative analysis of the labeling density showed that SPT is contained only in peroxisomes. The results indicate that in human liver most of SPT is contained in the peroxisomes.     

Immunocytochemical localization of serine: pyruvate aminotransferase in peroxisomes of the human liver parenchymal cells

Summary The localization of serine:pyruvate aminotransferase (SPT) in human liver was investigated by indirect immunoenzyme and protein A-gold techniques. By light microscopy, diaminobenzidine reaction product was present in cytoplasmic granules of the parenchymal cells. By electron microscopy, gold particles indicating the antigenic sites for SPT were exclusively confined to peroxisomes but not to mitochondria. By double labeling technique, both peroxisomal marker enzyme, catalase and SPT were detected in the same peroxisomes. Quantitative analysis of the labeling density showed that SPT is contained only in peroxisomes. The results indicate that in human liver most of SPT is contained in the peroxisomes.     

Cytochemical and immunocytochemical study on the peroxisomes of rat liver after administration of a hypolipidemic drug, MLM-160

After administration of a hypolipidemic drug, MLM-160, to male rats, liver peroxisomes were studied by biochemical, cytochemical, and immunocytochemical methods. The activities of D-amino acid oxidase, glycolate oxidase, and urate oxidase increased 2 to 3-fold by the treatment. The increase of the oxidases was confirmed by immunoblotting analysis. By light microscopy, immunoreaction for catalase was present in the cytoplasmic granules of hepatocytes. The stained granules formed some clusters and overlapped each other after MLM-160 treatment. However, immunostaining for D-amino acid oxidase and urate oxidase was present in discrete fine granules which did not overlap each other. By electron microscopy, many peroxisomes showed ring-like extensions and cavitation of the matrix, often giving the appearance of a peroxisome-within-a-peroxisome. In many cases, these unusual peroxisomes seemed to be interconnected with each other. Within the peroxisomes, the catalase was localized in the matrix. Urate oxidase was associated with the crystalloid cores. D-amino acid oxidase was localized focally in a small part of the matrix where the catalase was mostly negative. In conclusion, the administration of MLM-160 to male rats induces some peroxisomal oxidases, accompanying the appearance of unusual peroxisomes. The precise localization of peroxisomal enzymes suggested that there are subcompartments within the liver peroxisomes as shown in rat kidney peroxisomes.     

Ultrastructural, immunocytochemical and morphometric characterization of liver peroxisomes in gray mullet, Mugil cephalus

Peroxisomes of the hepatocytes of gray mullets, Mugil cephalus, were characterized cytochemically and immunocytochemically using antibodies against the peroxisomal proteins catalase and palmitoyl-coenzyme A (CoA) oxidase. In addition, morphometric parameters of peroxisomes were investigated depending on the hepatic zonation, the age of the animals and the sampling season. Mullet liver peroxisomes were reactive for diaminobenzidine, but presented a marked heterogeneity in staining intensity. Most of the peroxisomes were spherical or oval in shape, although irregular forms were also observed. Their size was heterogeneous, with profile diameters ranging from 0.2 to 3 microm. Peroxisomes tended to occur in clusters, usually near the mitochondria and lipid droplets. They also showed a very close topographical relationship to the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Mullet liver peroxisomes did not contain cores or nucleoids as rodent liver peroxisomes, but internal substructures were observed in the matrix, consisting of small tubules about 60 nm in diameter and larger semicircles 120 nm in diameter. The volume density of peroxisomes was higher in periportal hepatocytes of mullets sampled in summer than in pericentral hepatocytes, indicating that mullet peroxisomes vary depending on physiological and environmental conditions. By immunoblotting, the mammalian antibodies cross-react with the corresponding proteins in whole homogenates of mullet liver. Paraffin sections immunostained with the antibodies against catalase and palmitoyl-CoA oxidase showed a positive reaction corresponding to peroxisomes localized in the hepatocyte cytoplasm. In agreement, the ultrastructural study revealed that catalase and palmitoyl-CoA oxidase are exclusively localized in the peroxisomal matrix in fish hepatocytes, showing a dense gold labeling. The presence of the peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzyme palmitoyl-CoA oxidase in peroxisomes indicated that these organelles play a key role in the lipid metabolism of fish liver.     

Peroxisomes in the absorptive cells of normal,rachitic, and vitamin-D replete chick intestine: Ultrastructure and histochemistry

Using routine transmission electron microscopy and light and electron microscopic techniques for the histologic demonstration (localization) of catalase (a peroxisomal enzyme), peroxisomes in chick duodenal epithelial cells were identified and studied. In these cells, peroxisomes were seen to be small, ovoid structures, delimited by a single unit membrane. They were concentrated in the supranuclear cytoplasm in initimate association with the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. As demonstrated histochemically, the heterogeneous matrix of these organelles was catalase positive. In addition, most of the larger peroxisomes revealed central nucleoids; however, the smaller peroxisomes were generally anucleoid. It thus appears that two classes of peroxisomes exist in chick intestinal absorptive cells: (1) small, anucleoid microperoxisomes, and (2) larger, nucleoid-containing peroxisomes. In addition to the above morphological characteristics, both peroxisome types were numerous in normal and vitamin-D-replete tissues, but were conspicuously decreased or absent from the apical cytoplasm of rachitic epithelial cells. From these observations it is hypothesized that these organelles may be involved in the overall vitamin-D response of the small intestine.     

Localization of cytosolic NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase in the peroxisomes of rat liver cells: biochemical and immunocytochemical studies.

Two types of NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenases (ICDs) have been reported: mitochondrial (ICD1) and cytosolic (ICD2). The C-terminal amino acid sequence of ICD2 has a tripeptide peroxisome targeting signal 1 sequence (PTS1). After differential centrifugation of the postnuclear fraction of rat liver homogenate, approximately 75% of ICD activity was found in the cytosolic fraction. To elucidate the true localization of ICD2 in rat hepatocytes, we analyzed the distribution of ICD activity and immunoreactivity in fractions isolated by Nycodenz gradient centrifugation and immunocytochemical localization of ICD2 antigenic sites in the cells. On Nycodenz gradient centrifugation of the light mitochondrial fraction, ICD2 activity was distributed in the fractions in which activity of catalase, a peroxisomal marker, was also detected, but a low level of activity was also detected in the fractions containing activity for succinate cytochrome C reductase (a mitochondrial marker) and acid phosphatase (a lysosomal marker). We have purified ICD2 from rat liver homogenate and raised a specific antibody to the enzyme. On SDS-PAGE, a single band with a molecular mass of 47 kD was observed, and on immunoblotting analysis of rat liver homogenate a single signal was detected. Double staining of catalase and ICD2 in rat liver revealed co-localization of both enzymes in the same cytoplasmic granules. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed gold particles with antigenic sites of ICD2 present mainly in peroxisomes. The results clearly indicated that ICD2 is a peroxisomal enzyme in rat hepatocytes. ICD2 has been regarded as a cytosolic enzyme, probably because the enzyme easily leaks out of peroxisomes during homogenization. (J Histochem Cytochem 49:1123-1131, 2001)     

Glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase in mammalian peroxisomes

Peroxisomes isolated on sucrose density gradients from homogenates of rat, chicken, or dog livers and rat kidney contained NAD⁺:α-glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase. Since the amount of sucrose in the peroxisomal fraction inhibited the enzyme activity about 70%, it was necessary to remove the sucrose by dialysis. About 8.4% of the total dehydrogenase of rat livers was in the surviving intact peroxisomes after homogenation. If corrected for particle breakage, this represented approximately 21% of the total activity. About 9.5% of the total enzyme was isolated in rat kidney peroxisomes, and because of severe particle rupture may represent over half of the total activity. No glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase was found in spinach leaf peroxisomes. A specific activity of 326 nmoles min^?1 mg^?1 protein in the rat liver peroxisomal fraction was at least twice that in the cytoplasm. NAD⁺:α-glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase was also present in a membrane fraction which was not identified, but none was in the mitochondria. The liver peroxisomal and cytoplasmic NAD⁺:α-glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase moved similarly on polyacrylamide gels and each resolved into two adjacent bands.Malate dehydrogenase was not found in peroxisomes from liver and kidney of rats and pigs, but 1–2% of the total particulate malate dehydrogenase was present in the peroxisomal area of the gradient from dog livers. However, this malate dehydrogenase in dog peroxisomal fractions did not exactly coincide with the peroxisomal marker, catalase. Malate dehydrogenase in dog liver mitochondria and in the peroxisomal fraction had similar pH optima and K_m values and migrated similarly to the anode at pH 6.5 on starch gels as a major and a minor band. The cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase had a different pH optimum and K_m value and resolved into five different isoenzymes by electrophoresis. It is concluded that NAD⁺:α-glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase is in peroxisomes of liver and kidney, whereas malate dehydrogenase, present in peroxisomes of plants, is apparently absent in animal peroxisomes.     

Biosynthesis of liver catalase in rats treated with allylisopropylacetylcarbamide. I. Immunochemical assay of catalase in liver cell fractions.

Rats were injected twice intraperitoneally with 20 mg of allylisopropylacetylcarbamide (Sedormid) per 100 g of body weight at an interval of 12 hr. The level of catalase [EC 1.11.1.6] in various liver cell fractions was determined both enzymatically and immunochemically 12 hr after the second injection. 1. The decrease in catalase protein assayed by the immunochemical method directly confirmed the inhibition of biosynthesis of the enzyme by this porphyrinogenic drug. 2. The occurrence of a considerable amount of catalase protein with no enzymatic activity was demonstrated both in the peroxisomes and in the supernatant fraction. 3. The amount of catalase-synthesizing polysomes in hepatic cell was reduced in Sedormid-treated rats by the extent comparable to the decrease in the concentration of liver catalase.     

Microsomal and cytosolic epoxide hydrolases, the peroxisomal fatty acid beta-oxidation system and catalase. Activities, distribution and induction in rat liver parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells

A number of structurally unrelated hypolipidaemic agents and certain phthalate-ester plasticizers induce hepatomegaly and proliferation of peroxisomes in rodent liver, but there is relatively limited data regarding the specific effects of these drugs on liver non-parenchymal cells. In the present study, liver parenchymal, Kupffer and endothelial cells from untreated and fenofibrate-fed rats were isolated and the activities of two enzymes associated with peroxisomes (catalase and the peroxisomal fatty acid beta-oxidation system) as well as cytosolic and microsomal epoxide hydrolase were measured. Microsomal epoxide hydrolase, cytosolic epoxide hydrolase and catalase activities were 7-12-fold higher in parenchymal cells than in Kupffer or endothelial cells from untreated rats; the peroxisomal fatty acid beta-oxidation activity was only detected in parenchymal cells. Fenofibrate increased catalase, cytosolic epoxide hydrolase and peroxisomal fatty acid beta-oxidation activities in parenchymal cells by about 1.5-, 3.5- and 20-fold, respectively. The induction of catalase (2-3-fold) and cytosolic epoxide hydrolase (3-5-fold) was also observed in Kupffer and endothelial cells; furthermore, a low peroxisomal fatty acid beta-oxidation activity was detected in endothelial cells. Morphological examination by electron microscopy showed that peroxisomes were confined to liver parenchymal cells in untreated animals, but could also be observed in endothelial cells after administration of fenofibrate.     

Biogenesis of peroxisomes in regenerating rat liver. I. Sequential changes of catalase and urate oxidase detected by ultrastructural cytochemistry

The biogenesis of peroxisomes has been investigated in the model of regenerating rat liver after partial hepatectomy using ultrastructural cytochemical staining methods: catalase as a marker of the peroxisomal matrix and uricase for the cores. The peroxisomes in regenerating rat liver showed several distinctive features: a) marked variation in shape and size, e.g., peroxisomes with tail-like extensions and tortuously elongated rod-shaped ones, b) formation of peroxisomal clusters and, c) interconnections between adjacent peroxisomes suggesting cleavage or budding. Whereas the reaction product for catalase was present at all intervals after hepatectomy in the matrix of all peroxisomes, the pattern of localization of uricase case varied with the time. It was confined to the cores in controls and at 10 days after the operation, while at 24 and 48 h it showed, in addition, a diffuse reaction in the matrix of some peroxisomes. In interconnected apparently dividing peroxisomes, the core with positive uricase reaction was present only in one half, while the other half was devoid of the reaction product. Similarly, the diffuse uricase staining was confined to the half which contained the core with the other half remaining unstained. These observations are consistent with the concept that new peroxisomes are formed from preexisting ones by budding and segmentation. While catalase is transferred uniformly to all new segments, uricase is compartmentalized in certain portions, of the apparently growing "peroxisomal reticulum".     

Participation of peroxisomes in lipid biosynthesis in the harderian gland of guinea pig.

Peroxisomal enzyme activities in the guinea-pig harderian gland, which has a unique lipid composition, were studied. Activities of catalase, acyl-CoA oxidase and the cyanide-insensitive acyl-CoA beta-oxidation system in this tissue were comparable with those in rat liver. The activities of dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase (DHAPAT, EC 2.3.1.42) and alkyl-DHAP synthase (EC 2.5.1.26) were appreciable, and the distributions of both activities were consistent with that of sedimentable catalase activity. Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT, EC 2.3.1.15), which is localized in both microsomes (microsomal fractions) and mitochondria in the rat liver, was a peroxisomal enzyme in the harderian gland, though the activity was only about one-tenth of the DHAPAT activity. These enzymes had different pH profiles and substrate specificity. The existence of high activities of enzymes of the acyl-DHAP pathway in peroxisomes suggests the physiological significance of peroxisomes in the biosynthesis of glycerol ether phospholipid and 1-alkyl-2,3-diacylglycerol in the guinea-pig harderian gland.     

Enzyme activities of isolated hepatic peroxisomes from genetically lean and obese male mice.

Hepatic peroxisomes have been isolated on isopycnic sucrose gradients from white mice [HA(ICR)] and lean and obese (C57BL/6J) mice. Nearly all of the catalase activity was in the peroxisomal fraction. The activity for β-oxidation of palmitoyl-CoA was about threefold higher per milligram of protein in the isolated peroxisomal fraction or per gram of liver from the obese mouse compared to its lean littermates. Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity also was higher in the peroxisomes and cytoplasm of the obese mouse. The matrix enzymes of the organelles, catalase and urate oxidase of the peroxisome and glutamate dehydrogenase of the mitochondria, had similar activities per gram of liver from either lean or obese mice. Membrane components, NADPH: cytochrome c reductase of the microsomes and β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase of the mitochondria, had lower activities in the obese mouse in inverse proportion to the larger size of the liver.     

Catalase in salivary gland striated and excretory duct cells. I. The distribution of cytoplasmic and particulate catalase and the presence of catalase-positive rods

Synopsis Catalase-positive rods of different dimensions, which frequently appeared crystalline by light microscopy, were found to be concentrated along with microbodies and cytoplasmic enzyme in the cells of the striated and extralobular excretory ducts of mouse salivary glands. When an entire mouse submandibular gland and its ducts were excised, fixed, sectioned and incubated for catalase demonstration, the excretory ducts were intensely stained relative to the remainder of the gland. Light microscopic examination of the stained ductal cells revealed particulate catalase in the form of rods and microbodies as well as reactivity due to non-particulate cytoplasmic enzyme. The cytoplasmic enzyme activity was less intense in some ductal epithelial cells (light cells) which were interspersed in mosaic arrangement among those more intensely stained (dark cells). The rods were somewhat more common in the light cells. Although the rods lack a symmetrical definitive crystal habit, their gross conformation and periodic substructure are reminiscent of crystalline catalase. No rods and relatively few peroxisomes were observed in excretory duct cells of germ-free mice although cytoplasmic catalase was abundant. These observations suggest that the catalase in salivary gland duct cells could be related in some way to the protection of the gland or the oral cavity or both against micro-organisms. Alternatively, the enzyme could be involved in the non-thyroidal biosynthesis of iodinated tyrosine derivatives.     

Catalase Synthesis and Turnover during Peroxisome Transition in the Cotyledons of Helianthus annuus L

Based on measurements of total catalase hematin and the degradation constants of catalase hematin, zero order rate constants for the synthesis of catalase were determined during the development of sunflower cotyledons (Helianthus annuus L.). Catalase synthesis reached a sharp maximum of about 400 picomoles hematin per day per cotyledon at day 1.5 during the elaboration of glyoxysomes in the dark. During the transition of glyoxysomes to leaf peroxisomes (greening cotyledons, day 2.5 to 5) catalase synthesis was constant at a level of about 30 to 40 picomoles hematin per day per cotyledon. In the cotyledons of seedlings kept in the dark (day 2.5 to 5) catalase synthesis did not exceed 10 picomoles hematin per day per cotyledon. During the peroxisome transition in the light, total catalase hematin was maintained at a high level, whereas total catalase activity rapidly decreased. In continuous darkness, total catalase hematin decreased considerably from a peak at day 2. The results show that both catalase synthesis and catalase degradation are regulated by light. The turnover characteristics of catalase are in accordance with the concept that glyoxysomes are transformed to leaf peroxisomes as described by the one population model and contradict the two population model and the enzyme synthesis changeover model which both postulate de novo formation of the leaf peroxisome population and degradation of the glyoxysome population.