Localization of alpha-glucosidases I, II, and III in organs of European honeybees, Apis mellifera L., and the origin of alpha-glucosidase in honey

Three kinds of alpha-glucosidases, I, II, and III, were purified from European honeybees, Apis mellifera L. In addition, an alpha-glucosidase was also purified from honey. Some properties, including the substrate specificity of honey alpha-glucosidase, were almost the same as those of alpha-glucosidase III. Specific antisera against the alpha-glucosidases were prepared to examine the localization of alpha-glucosidases in the organs of honeybees. It was immunologically confirmed for the first time that alpha-glucosidase I was present in ventriculus, and alpha-glucosidase II, in ventriculus and haemolymph. alpha-Glucosidase III, which became apparent to be honey alpha-glucosidase, was present in the hypopharyngeal gland, from which the enzyme may be secreted into nectar gathered by honeybees. Honey may be finally made up through the process whereby sucrose in nectar, in which glucose and fructose also are naturally contained, is hydrolyzed by secreted alpha-glucosidase III.     

Change in the alpha-glucosidase activity of cattle muscle tissue during slow autolysis]

Changes in the alpha-glucosidase activity of the cattle muscular tissue (oxen eye muscle of loin) were evaluated during storage at 2 degrees. Under these conditions both lysosomal and extralysosomal alpha-glucosidase activities underwent no significant changes during a long period of time (12 days). Activity of lysosome-bound alpha-glucosidase was about 10% of total enzyme activity in the homogenate; the remaining part of alpha-glucosidase was contained outside lysosomes.     

Alpha-1,4-glucosidase activity in ram seminal plasma is inversely related to serum testosterone

The epididymis of adult rams is the primary source of alpha-glucosidase in seminal plasma. Two breeds of rams were selected to ascertain whether the enzyme was under androgenic control during adult life of rams. Opposite variations between serum testosterone and alpha-glucosidase were recorded over a period of 16 months in Suffolk and Finnish Landrace. In addition, the highest percentage of sperm motility was associated with a low alpha-glucosidase content of seminal plasma. Data from this study suggest that seasonal variations of testosterone in adult rams exert a negative control on the presence of alpha-glucosidase in semen.     

Subcellular distribution of acid alpha-glucosidase in fibroblasts and of antigenically cross-reactive material in Pompe's disease fibroblasts

From fibroblasts of two cases of Pompe's disease (acid alpha-glucosidase deficiency), one of the childhood type (RH-SF-1) and one of the adult type (RH-SF-2), and normal fibroblasts, antigenically cross-reactive material and acid alpha-glucosidase were immunoprecipitated and analysed by immunoelectrotransfer blotting. The acid alpha-glucosidase and antigenically cross-reactive material (which reacts with antibody raised against normal acid alpha-glucosidase) revealed a precursor form of molecular weight 97,000 and two major components of 79,000 and 76,000. When monensin was added to the fibroblast culture, the two major components of normal acid alpha-glucosidase were decreased, whereas the large molecular weight precursor was increased. On the other hand, the 97,000 molecular weight component of cross-reactive material in the Pompe's fibroblasts (RH-SF-1 and RH-SF-2) was only slightly increased on monensin treatment. The fibroblasts were pulse-chase labelled with [2-H3] mannose and 32Pi. The cross-reactive material and acid alpha-glucosidase were precipitated with anti acid alpha-glucosidase antibody, and after sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), fluorography was performed. The radiolabel of 3H in the cross-reactive material of RH-SF-1 and -2 was weak, and 32P in the cross-reactive material of both fibroblasts was very weak when compared with those of the acid alpha-glucosidase. The radiolabel of 32P in the cross-reactive material of RH-SF-1 was extremely weak. Immunofluorescence histochemistry revealed a granular localization of acid alpha-glucosidase in the normal fibroblast cytoplasm, and a diffuse distribution of cross-reactive material in the cytoplasm of RH-SF-1 and -2. Immuno-electron microscopic examinations showed a normal acid alpha-glucosidase localization on the inner side of the lysosomal membrane and also diffusely in the lysosome; when treated with monensin, it was present on the trans part of the Golgi apparatus. Antigenically cross-reactive material, however, was found in the cytoplasm and endoplasmic reticulum. Some lysosomal localization was observed sporadically. Even after monensin treatment, it was not demonstrated on the Golgi apparatus.     

Genetic heterogeneity in acid alpha-glucosidase deficiency.

Several clinical forms of acid alpha-glucosidase deficiency have been described. Our study was planned to identify differences at the molecular level in acid alpha-glucosidase deficiency. Of nine fibroblast strains derived from patients with the infantile form of the disease, eight were crossreacting material (CRM)-negative and one CRM-positive. This was demonstrated by both agar immunodiffusion and immunotitration. No difference in apparent enzymatic activity was observed between CRM-negative and CRM-positive infantile acid alpha-glucosidase deficiency fibroblasts. In two fibroblast strains with the adult form of acid alpha-glucosidase deficiency, rocket immunoelectrophoresis demonstrated a reduction in the amount of enzyme protein, which was directly proportional to the reduction in enzyme activity. In another fibroblast strain obtained from a patient with the adult form of the disease, the activity was within the range of the infantile form and no CRM could be identified. Fibroblasts with phenotype 2 of acid alpha-glucosidase, considered a normal variant, showed a reduction both in the amount of enzyme protein and in the ability of the enzyme to cleave glycogen. However, the catalytic activity for maltose was normal. The findings demonstrate extensive genetic heterogeneity in acid alpha-glucosidase deficiency. Molecular differences were identified both between the clinical forms of the disease and within the infantile and the adult forms of acid alpha-glucosidase deficiency. It remains unknown whether or not the enzyme deficiency in homozygotes for isozyme 2 of acid alpha-glucosidase will be sufficient to cause glycogen accumulation and lead to the development of muscular dystrophy-like disease later in life.     

Genetic relationship between lysosomal and lamellar body-specific alpha-glucosidases in human lung

In lamellar bodies isolated from adult human lung at least two acid alpha-glucosidases are present: one similar to the lung lysosomal alpha-glucosidase, and another lamellar body-specific isoenzyme. In the present study we measured the activity of this lamellar body-specific alpha-glucosidase and of lysosomal alpha-glucosidase in a patient with an inherited deficiency of lysosomal alpha-glucosidase. The activity of the lamellar body-specific alpha-glucosidase was not affected in the patient, whereas the lysosomal alpha-glucosidase activity was strongly depressed. The results strongly suggest that the lysosomal alpha-glucosidase and the lamellar body-specific alpha-glucosidase are different gene products.     

A specific acid alpha-glucosidase in lamellar bodies of the human lung

In the present investigation, we have demonstrated that three lysosomal-type hydrolases, alpha-glucosidase, alpha-mannosidase and a phosphatase, are present in lamellar bodies isolated from adult human lung. The hydrolase activities that were studied, all showed an acidic pH optimum, which is characteristic for lysosomal enzymes. The properties of acid alpha-glucosidase in the lamellar body fraction and that in the lysosome-enriched fraction were compared. Using specific antibodies against lysosomal alpha-glucosidase from human placenta, two alpha-glucosidases could be distinguished in the lamellar body fraction: one with a high affinity to the antibodies as found in the lysosome-enriched fraction and another with a much lower affinity. Both forms showed an acidic pH optimum. The same heterogeneity of alpha-glucosidase in the lamellar body fraction could be observed using immobilized concanavalin A. The lectin was able to precipitate nearly all alpha-glucosidase activity of the lysosome-enriched fraction. In contrast, 30% of the alpha-glucosidase activity in the lamellar body fraction was not precipitable. Furthermore, the lamellar body alpha-glucosidase with the low antibody affinity could not be bound to concanavalin A. The results suggest that lamellar bodies contain at least two acid alpha-glucosidases: one similar to the lung lysosomal alpha-glucosidase, and another lamellar body-specific isoenzyme with a different immunoreactivity and lectin affinity. The lamellar body-specific alpha-glucosidase should prove useful as a lamellar body-specific marker enzyme.     

Cloning a cDNA for the lysosomal alpha-glucosidase

Messenger RNA was isolated from monkey testes and size-fractionated on sucrose gradients. In vitro translation of these mRNA fractions resulted in nascent, labeled alpha-glucosidase that could be precipitated with anti human alpha-glucosidase antiserum. A cDNA library was constructed from the most enriched fraction. The library was screened with cDNA made from mRNA obtained from immunoselected polysomes. Five cross-hybridizing clones were isolated and identified by their selection of alpha-glucosidase mRNA, as shown by hybrid released translation and further by their ability to hybridize with DNA from human chromosome 17, on which the gene coding for acid alpha-glucosidase is located.     

Acid and neutral alpha-glucosidase in the reproductive organs and seminal plasma of the bull

A synthetic substrate (p-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside) was used to measure the acid and neutral alpha-glucosidase activity in bull seminal plasma, spermatozoa and in homogenates of bull reproductive organs. Marked differences were observed in the activities of these enzymes in the various tissues studied. Epididymis and particularly its caput region contained the highest specific activity of acid alpha-glucosidase. The activity of neutral alpha-glucosidase was highest in testis and in different parts of the epididymis. Seminal plasma, spermatozoa and seminal vesicle secretion contained only the acid enzyme activity. After fractionation with anion exchange chromatography in HPLC (Mono Q) and chromatofocussing, acid alpha-glucosidase activity of seminal plasma was recovered in two fractions with different pI values. The corresponding activities were found in the secretion of seminal vesicles, which thus form the major secretory source of seminal plasma acid alpha-glucosidase. In the fractionation with gel filtration on Sepharose 6B, the acid alpha-glucosidase had a smaller molecular weight than did the neutral enzyme. In anion exchange chromatography and chromatofocussing the testicular and epididymal homogenates each contained two acid and two neutral isoenzymes. In both fractionations the elution pattern of acid alpha-glucosidase was clearly different from that of the enzymes in seminal plasma. The pH optimum of acid alpha-glucosidase ranged from 3.75 to 4.5 and that of the neutral enzyme from 6.5 to 7.0. The neutral activity was more sensitive to many divalent metal ions and differences were also observed in the response of the enzymes to different concentrations of turanose and KCl.     

Neutral alpha-glucosidase from human kidney. Molecular and immunological properties. Relationship with intestinal glucoamylase.

Some molecular properties of the purified neutral alpha-glucosidase from human kidney were studied. The enzyme is a glycoprotein with high molecular weight (315000-352000 according to the method used). Its sedimentation coefficient is 12.9S. It exhibits at least three peaks of activity in isoelectric focusing experiments. This heterogeneity appears to be related to sialic acid residues from the carbohydrate moiety. An anti-human renal alpha-glucosidase antiserum was raised from rabbit. The antiserum effect on human intestinal maltases was studied in immunodiffusion experiments. An identity pattern was observed between renal neutral alpha-glucosidase and intestinal glucoamylase. No precipitation occurred with intestinal sucrase. Renal neutral alpha-glucosidase and intestinal glucoamylase were both completely precipitated by the antiserum, their maltase activity being only slightly inhibited in the antigen-antibody complex. From their molecular and immunological properties a large homology appears between human renal alpha-glucosidase and intestinal glycoamylase.     

Isolation and characterization of alpha-glucosidase inhibitor from the fungus Ganoderma lucidum

An alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, SKG-3, was isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum and its physico-chemical properties were characterized. It was a highly specific and effective reversible inhibitor of alpha-glucosidase. It showed very potent inhibitory activity against alpha-glucosidase with an IC50 value of 4.6 micro g/ml, but no activity for any other glycosidases tested. Enzyme activity could be recovered upon dialysis, thus providing evidence for the reversibility of the inhibition. A Lineweaver-Burk plot indicated that the SKG-3 inhibition of alpha-glucosidase was competitive.     

Isolation and characterization of three alpha-glucosidases from the Japanese quail

We have defined one type of acid alpha-glucosidase and two types of neutral alpha-glucosidases from quail skeletal muscle on the basis of differences in the elution patterns on a DEAE-cellulose column. The appearance of the two neutral alpha-glucosidase isoenzymes was age-dependent. A decrease in acid alpha-glucosidase activity was demonstrated in Japanese quails with glycogenosis type II. The characteristics of these three alpha-glucosidase isoenzymes are described.     

Biosynthesis of acid alpha-glucosidase in late-onset forms of glycogenosis type II (Pompe's disease)

Cultured human skin fibroblasts from control persons and from patients with the generalized and late-onset forms of Pompe's disease were labelled with radioactive leucine and the incorporation of radioactivity into acid alpha-glucosidase and cathepsin D was analysed by immunoprecipitation, gel electrophoresis and fluorography. When the labelling was carried out for 6-12 h in the presence of NH4Cl, the labelling of secreted alpha-glucosidase relative to that of secreted cathepsin D in fibroblasts from patients with the late-onset form of Pompe's disease was less than 15% of that in fibroblasts from control persons. However, when the fibroblasts were labelled for less than 1 h, the relative rate of incorporation of radioactivity into acid alpha-glucosidase was rather similar in the two types of fibroblasts. In fibroblasts from patients with the generalized form of Pompe's disease no incorporation of radioactivity into acid alpha-glucosidase could be detected.     

Intracellular transport of acid alpha-glucosidase in human fibroblasts: evidence for involvement of phosphomannosyl receptor-independent system

Intracellular transport of two lysosomal enzymes, acid alpha-glucosidase and beta-hexosaminidase, was analyzed in human fibroblasts. The precursors of beta-hexosaminidase in normal fibroblasts were released from the membrane fraction by treatment with mannose 6-phosphate, but the precursor of alpha-glucosidase was not. Percoll density gradient centrifugation revealed a normal amount of acid alpha-glucosidase activity in heavy lysosomes in I-cell disease fibroblasts despite impaired maturation and defective phosphorylation, and beta-hexosaminidase activity was markedly reduced in lysosomes. It was concluded that the membrane-bound precursor of acid alpha-glucosidase is transported to lysosomes by a phosphomannosyl receptor-independent system although the enzyme lacks the recognition marker for the phosphomannosyl receptor and processing of an intermediate form to mature forms does not occur in this disease.     

2-Aminoresorcinol is a potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitor

A series of aminoresorcinols and related compounds were tested for rat intestinal alpha-glucosidase inhibition and these results suggested that the 2-aminoresorcinol moiety of 6-amino-5,7-dihydroxyflavone (2) is important to exert the intestinal alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity and 2-aminoresorcinol (4), itself, is a potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitor and inhibited sucrose-hydrolyzing activity of rat intestinal alpha-glucosidase uncompetitively.     

Synthesis and intracellular localization of chick acid alpha-glucosidase in chick erythrocyte-human fibroblast heterokaryons. A model system for the study of lysosomal enzyme synthesis

The synthesis and localization of chick acid alpha-glucosidase has been studied in chick erythrocyte-human fibroblast heterokaryons. Monospecific antibodies raised against purified chick liver acid alpha-glucosidase were used. It was found that the acid alpha-glucosidase in the heterokaryons is of chick origin, and is localized in the same lysosomes as the human lysosomal enzymes. It is concluded that chick erythrocyte-human fibroblast heterokaryons provide a useful model system for the study of lysosomal enzyme synthesis and routing.     

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity of Syzygium cumini (Linn.) Skeels seed kernel in vitro and in Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats

Syzygium cumini seed kernel extracts were evaluated for the inhibition of alpha-glucosidase from mammalian (rat intestine), bacterial (Bacillus stearothermophilus), and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, baker's yeast). In vitro studies using the mammalian alpha-glucosidase from rat intestine showed the extracts to be more effective in inhibiting maltase when compared to the acarbose control. Since acarbose is inactive against both the bacterial and the yeast enzymes, the extracts were compared to 1-deoxynojirimycin. We found all extracts to be more potent against alpha-glucosidase derived from B. stearothermophilus than that against the enzymes from either baker's yeast or rat intestine. In an in vivo study using Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, the acetone extract was found to be a potent inhibitor of alpha-glucosidase hydrolysis of maltose when compared to untreated control animals. Therefore, these results point to the inhibition of alpha-glucosidase as a possible mechanism by which this herb acts as an anti-diabetic agent.     

Regional distribution and substrate specificity of digestive enzymes involved in terminal digestion in Musca domestica hind-midguts.

One membrane-bound alpha-glucosidase and two soluble alpha-glucosidases were isolated from homogenates of the hind-midgut, the main digestive region in Musca domestica larvae. The membrane-bound alpha-glucosidase and the low-Mr soluble alpha-glucosidase hydrolyze maltopentaose better than maltose, maltotriose, and maltotetraose, the reverse being true for the high-Mr soluble alpha-glucosidase. A membrane-bound glucoamylase previously described in Musca domestica midgut was shown by gradient centrifugation and dialysis against EDTA to result from the combined action of an amylase and an alpha-glucosidase. The determination of amylase, alpha-glucosidases, soluble and membrane-bound carboxypeptidase A, membrane-bound aminopeptidase and dipeptidase along the tissue and luminal contents of the hind-midgut is described. The data support a proposal concerned with how starch and protein are digested in Musca domestica larval hind-midguts and where and how midgut glycosidases and peptidases are secreted.     

Purification and characterization of lysosomal alpha-glucosidase secreted by eukaryote Tetrahymena

A large amount of lysosomal acid hydrolases was released into the medium by Tetrahymena pyriformis strain W during growth. An extracellular lysosomal acid alpha-glucosidase has been purified 500-fold with a 41% yield to homogeneity, as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It was found to be a glycoprotein and to consist of a single 110,000-dalton polypeptide chain. The carbohydrate content of the alpha-glucosidase was equivalent to 2.8% of the total protein content, and the oligosaccharide moiety was composed of mannose and N-acetylglucosamine in a molar ratio of 6.7:2. The optimal pHs for hydrolysis of maltose and p-nitrophenyl-alpha-glucopyranoside, maltose, isomaltose, and glycogen were 1.1 mM, 2.5 mM, 33.0 mM, and 18.5 mg/ml, respectively. This purified enzyme appears to have alpha-1,6-glucosidase as well as alpha-1,4-glucosidase activity. Turanose has a noncompetitive inhibitory effect on the hydrolysis of maltose. The antibody raised against Tetrahymena acid alpha-glucosidase inhibited the hydrolysis of all substrates tested. These properties of Tetrahymena acid alpha-glucosidase were found to be similar to those of the human liver lysosomal alpha-glucosidase.     

Comparative study of glycosidase from cattle liver and exoglycanase from Aspergillus awamori]

Anomerities of products were estimated for glucosidases from cattle liver and Aspergillus awamori. It was demonstrated that the enzyme from cattle liver is alpha-glucosidase and that from Asp. awamori is exogluconase. It was demonstrated that alpha-glucosidase hydrolyzes the C1--O bond in the course of reaction. delta-Lactone of gluconic acid is a competitive inhibitor for both enzymes. The secondary kinetic isotope effects for both enzymes were measured. The isotope effect for alpha-glucosidase is equal to 1, for exogluconase 1,1 for glycogen and 1,18 for maltose. Some aspects of mechanisms of both enzymes are discussed in terms of the data obtained.