Alterations in enzyme and cytochrome profiles of Rana catesbeiana liver organelles during thyroxine-induced metamorphosis. Changes in membrane-localized phosphohydrolases, oxidoreductases, and cytochrome levels in response to in vivo thyroxine administration.

A primary objective of the present study has been to determine the changes which occur in Rana catesbeiana liver organelle membranes during thyroxine-induced metamorphosis. To this end, enzyme and cytochrome profiles were determined for mitochondria, microsomes, and nuclear membrane fractions isolated from livers of R. catesbeiana tadpoles which had been fasted for 6 days at 15 +/- 0.5 degrees and then immersed in thyroxine, 2.6 X 10(-8) M, for periods of up to 12 days at 23.5 +/- 0.4 degrees. The ratio of total succinate-cytochrome c reductase activity in the initial homogenate fraction to the total activity of this mitochondrial "marker" enzyme recovered in the final mitochondrial fraction remained constant, approximately 0.5, throughout the course of thyroxine treatment; however, after a 3- to 4-day latency the mitochondrial protein mass recovered per unit mass of initial homogenate protein was found to increase significantly (approximately 2-fold by Day 10 of thyroxine treatment). A similar increase was also observed in the yield of microsomal, but not nuclear membrane, protein mass as a function of thyroxine treatment. Prolonged thyroxine treatment (12 days) resulted in approximately 50% decreases in tadpole liver homogenate and microsomal NADH-cytochrome c reductase specific activities; in contrast, mitochondrial and nuclear membrane NADH-cytochrome c reductase specific activities were not altered under the same conditions. In addition, homogenate and microsomal NADPH-cytochrome c reductase specific activities were found to have increased significantly after 12 days of thyroxine treatment; however, the specific activity of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase in the mitochondrial fraction was unchanged. It was also observed that thyroxine treatment resulted in increases in homogenate and microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase specific activities, whereas the mitochondrial as well as nuclear membrane glucose-6-phosphatase specific activities remained unchanged. Furthermore, in contrast to homogenate and mitochondrial monoamine oxidase specific activities, which decreased 30 and 40%, respectively, as a consequence of thyroxine treatment (12 days), the succinate-cytochrome c reductase and oligomycin-sensitive Mg2+ ATPase specific activities determined for these fractions increased significantly. In all instances, changes as a result of thyroxine treatment in membrane-localized homogenate or organelle enzyme specific activities were apparent only after a 3- to 4-day initial latent period. The in vitro effects of thyroxine (10(-10) - 10(-5) M) on the membrane-localized enzyme activities examined in this study were either negligible or, as in the case of mitochondrial succinate-cytochrome c reductase and microsomal NADH-cytochrome c reductase, opposite to the changes observed in response to in vivo thyroxine treatment, with the exception of microsomal NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity which was enhanced approximately 2-fold by 10(-5) M thyroxine...     

Kinetics of enzymic reductive deiodination of iodothyronines. Effect of pH.

5'-Deiodination of thyroxine (yielding 3,3',5-tri-iodothyronine; reaction I) and of 3,3',5'-tri-iodothyronine (yielding 3,3'-di-iodothyronine; reaction II) and 5-deiodination of thyroxine (yielding 3,3',5'-tri-iodothyronine; reaction III) and of 3,3',5-tri-iodothyronine (yielding 3,3'-di-iodothyronine; reaction IV) as catalysed by rat liver microsomal fraction were studied at pH 6.5, 7.2 and 8.0 It was found that: (1) the Km of reaction I was relatively independent of pH (approx. 3 microM), whereas V was highest at pH 6.5 (63 pmol of 3,3',5-tri-iodothyronine/min per mg of protein); (2) the Km of reaction II was lowest at pH 6.5 (0.035 microM), but V was highest at pH 8.0 (829 pmol of 3,3'-di-iodothyronine/min per mg of protein); (3) thyroxine inhibited reaction II competitively; Ki values were identical at pH 6.5 and 8.0 (1 microM); (4) for both reactions III and IV Km was lowest and V was highest at pH 8.0. The results are compatible with the view that reactions I and II are mediated by a single enzyme (iodothyronine 5'-deiodinase) and that reactions III and IV are catalysed by a second enzyme (iodothyronine 5-deiodinase).     

Subcellular localization of a rat liver enzyme converting thyroxine into tri-iodothyronine and possible involvement of essential thiol groups.

Experiments with rat liver homogenates showed that on subcellular fractionation the ability to catalyse the conversion of thyroxine into tri-iodothyronine was lost. The activity could in part be restored by addition of the cytosol to the microsomal fraction. Both components were found to be heat labile. The necessity of the presence of cytosol could be circumvented by incorporation of thiol-group-containing compounds in the medium. Optimal enzymic activity was observed in the presence of dithiothreitol and EDTA in medium of low osmolarity. By comparing the distribution of the converting enzyme over the subcellular fractions with a microsomal marker enzyme, glucose 6-phosphatase, it was demonstrated that the former is indeed of microsomal origin. Finally, it was shown that thiol groups play an essential role in the conversion of thyroxine into tri-iodothyronine.     

Thioredoxin and glutaredoxin systems of rat liver cytosol are not influenced by thyroid dysfunction

The relation of thyroid hormone status to the function of hepatic cytosolic components activating microsomal reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) 5'-monodeiodination was studied in rats. Hyperthyroidism was induced by administration of thyroxine and hypothyroidism, by thyroidectomy. The DTT-stimulated microsomal rT3 5'-monodeiodination rate was increased by 125% in hyperthyroid rats and reduced to about 30% in hypothyroid rats (when compared with euthyroid animals). Thyroid status was unrelated to NADPH-dependent activation of microsomal 5'-deiodinase by cytosol components or to cytosolic concentrations of thioredoxin and glutaredoxin, which stimulate in vitro microsomal deiodination of thyroid hormone.     

Binding of radioiodinated propylthiouracil to rat liver microsomal fractions. Stimulation by substrates for iodothyronine 5''-deiodinase.

Previous studies have shown that 2-thiouracil derivatives are uncompetitive inhibitors of iodothyronine 5'-deiodinase activity of rat liver microsomal fraction. Therefore the interaction of radioiodinated 6-propyl-2-thiouracil with rat liver microsomal fraction and the effect of substrate, cofactor and other inhibitors of 5'-deiodinase activity activity were investigated. It was found that micromolar concentrations of, in order of increasing potency, 3,5-diiodotyrosine, thyroxine, 3,3',5'-tri-iodothyronine and 3',5'-di-iodothyronine significantly enhanced binding of 5-[125I]iodo-6-propyl-2-thiouracil to the enzyme preparation. This stimulation was not seen in the presence of 1 mM dithiothreitol, 0.1 mM-6-propyl-2-thiouracil, 0.1 mM-6-propyl-2-thiouracil, 0.1 M-2-mercapto-1-methylimidazole or 1 mM-sodium sulphite. These results support the hypothesis that thiouracil derivatives inhibit 5'-deiodinase activity by forming a mixed disulphide with an intermediate enzyme complex, probably a sulphenyl iodide.     

Cytosol components from human placenta and rat liver in iodothyronine 5- and 5'-deiodination

Using either human placental microsomal 5-deiodinase as enzyme (5-DI) and thyroxine as substrate or rat liver (RL) microsomal 5'-deiodinase (5'DI) as enzyme and reverse [(3'- or 5'-)-125I]triiodo-L-thyronine ([125I]rT3) as substrate, activation of 5'-DI in the presence of NADPH was observed using either human placental or rat liver cytosolic components, but there was no activation of 5-DI. Both could be activated by DTT, with higher concentrations being required for 5-DI than for 5'-DI. Iopanoic acid, dicumarol, and sodium arsenite inhibited 5'-DI and 5-DI activated by DTT. In the presence of DTT, 1 mM 6-propyl-2-thiouracil had no effect on 5-DI but inhibited 5'DI. Thus, human placental and rat liver cytosolic components are interchangeable in activating hepatic 5'-DI in the presence of NADPH. However, if an endogenous cofactor system involved in the activation of human placental 5-DI exists, it probably differs from the activator of liver 5'-DI.     

Solubilization and partial characterization of rat epididymal delta 4-steroid 5 alpha-reductase (cholestenone 5 alpha-reductase).

Epididymal delta 4-steroid 5 alpha-reductase (cholestenone 5 alpha-reductase), the enzyme that catalyses the conversion of testosterone into the biologically active metabolite dihydrotestosterone (17 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstan-3-one), is a membrane-bound enzyme found in both nuclear and microsomal subcellular fractions. In order to characterize epididymal delta 4-steroid 5 alpha-reductase, it was first necessary to solubilize the enzymic activity. Of the various treatments tested, a combination of 0.5% (w/v) Lubrol WX, 0.1 M-sodium citrate and 0.1 M-KCl maintained enzymic activity at control values and solubilized 66% of total epididymal delta 4-steroid 5 alpha-reductase activity in an active and stable form. The sedimentation coefficient of solubilized delta 4-steroid 5 alpha-reductase, as determined in continuous sucrose density gradients, was greater for the microsomal than for the nuclear enzyme (11.6S compared with 10.1S). Although the apparent Km values of the enzyme for testosterone were similar in nuclear and microsomal subcellular fractions (range 1.75 x 10(-7) - 4.52 x 10(-7)M), the apparent Km of the enzyme for NADPH was about 30-fold greater for the microsomal enzyme than for the nuclear enzyme. The apparent Km of the enzyme for either substrate was not significantly altered after solubilization. The relative capacity of steroids to inhibit the enzymic activity, the pH optima and the effects of Ca2+ and Mg2+ were similar for membrane-bound and solubilized delta 4-steroid 5 alpha-reductase in both the nuclear and the microsomal fractions. The results reported demonstrate that epididymal delta 4-steroid 5 alpha-reductase can be solubilized in an active and stable form with no significant changes in the kinetic characteristics of the enzyme after solubilization; furthermore, kinetic and molecular-size differences observed for the nuclear and the microsomal forms of the enzyme suggest that there may exist at least two forms of epididymal delta 4-steroid 5 alpha-reductase.     

Thyroxine 5'-monodeiodinase activity in regenerating liver of triiodothyronine-treated rats

The effect of triiodothyronine (T3) on hepatic thyroxine (T4) 5'-monodeiodinase and the subcellular localization of the enzyme were examined in regenerating rat liver, because it seemed likely that the effect of T3 might be accentuated during liver regeneration. Five days after T3 treatment, the specific activity of the monodeiodinase in the microsomal fraction (105,000 X g pellet) of regenerating liver was increased to 207% of the control value. Lineweaver-Burk plots showed that the Vmax for T4 5'-monodeiodination was about 3 times greater in T3-treated rats than in controls, but that there was no difference between the two groups in the apparent Km value for T4. About 55% of the total enzyme activity was found in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of the liver of both controls and T3-treated rats. The subcellular distribution of the enzyme was similar to that of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase (NADPH-cyt c reductase), a marker of the ER, but different from that of Na+,K+-ATPase, a marker of plasma membranes (PM).     

Loss of latent activity of liver microsomal membrane enzymes evoked by lipid peroxidation. Studies of nucleoside diphosphatase, glucose-6-phosphatase, and UDP glucuronyltransferase

The effects of lipid peroxidation on latent microsomal enzyme activities were examined in NADPH-reduced microsomes from phenobarbital-pretreated male rats. Lipid peroxidation, stimulated by iron or carbon tetrachloride, was assayed as malondialdehyde formation. Independent of the stimulating agent of lipid peroxidation, latency of microsomal nucleoside diphosphatase activity remained unaffected up to microsomal peroxidation equivalent to the formation of about 12 nmol malondialdehyde/mg microsomal protein. However, above this threshold a close correlation was found between lipid peroxidation and loss of latent enzyme activity. The loss of latency evoked by lipid peroxidation was comparable to the loss of latency attainable by disrupting the microsomal membrane by detergent. Loss of latent enzyme activity produced by lipid peroxidation was also observed for microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase and UDPglucuronyltransferase. In contrast to nucleoside diphosphatase, however, both enzymes were inactivated by lipid peroxidation, as indicated by pronounced decreases of their activities in detergent-treated microsomes. According to the respective optimal oxygen partial pressure (po2) for lipid peroxidation, the iron-mediated effects on enzyme activities were maximal at a po2 of 80 mmHg and the one mediated by carbon tetrachloride at a po2 of 5 mmHg. Under anaerobic conditions no alterations of enzyme activities were detected. These results demonstrate that loss of microsomal latency only occurs when peroxidation of the microsomal membrane has reached a certain extent, and that beyond this threshold lipid peroxidation leads to severe disintegration of the microsomal membrane resulting in a loss of its selective permeability, a damage which should be of pathological consequences for the liver cell. Because of its resistance against lipid peroxidation nucleoside diphosphatase is a well-suited intrinsic microsomal parameter to estimate this effect of lipid peroxidation on the microsomal membrane.     

Characterization of an adenosine 3'':5''-cyclic monophosphate phosphodiesterase from baker''s yeast. Its binding to subcellular particles, catalytic properties and gel-filtration behaviour.

1. The 3':5'-cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in the microsomal fraction of baker's yeast is highly specific for cyclic AMP, and not inhibited by cyclic GMP, cyclic IMP or cyclic UMP. Catalytic activity is abolished by 30 micrometer-EDTA. At 30 degrees C and pH8.1, the Km is 0.17 micrometer, and theophylline is a simple competitive inhibitor with Ki 0.7 micrometer. The pH optimum is about 7.8 at 0.25 micrometer-cyclic AMP, so that over the physiological range of pH in yeast the activity changes in the opposite direction to that of adenylate cyclase [PH optimum about 6.2; Londesborough & Nurminen (1972) Acta Chem. Scand. 26, 3396-3398].2. At pH 7.2, dissociation of the enzyme from dilute microsomal suspensions increased with ionic strength and was almost complete at 0.3 M-KCl. MgCl2 caused more dissociation than did KCl or NaCl at the same ionic strength, but at low KCl concentrations binding required small amounts of free bivalent metal ions. In 0.1 M-KCl the binding decreased between pH 4.7 and 9.3. At pH 7.2 the binding was independent of temperature between 5 and 20 degrees C. These observations suggest that the binding is electrostatic rather than hydrophobic. 3. The proportion of bound activity increased with the concentration of the microsomal fraction, and at 22 mg of protein/ml and pH 7.2 was 70% at I0.18, and 35% at I0.26. Presumably a substantial amount of the enzyme is particle-bound in vivo. 4. At 5 degrees C in 10 mM-potassium phosphate, pH 7.2, the apparent molecular weight of KCl-solubilized enzyme decreased with enzyme concentration from about 200 000 to 40 000. In the presence of 0.5M-KCl, a constant mol.wt. of about 55 000 was observed over a 20-fold range of enzyme concentrations.     

CHARACTERIZATION AND DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGES OF UDP-GALACTOSE-CERAMIDE GALACTOSYL TRANSFERASE IN A RAT CNS AXOLEMMA-ENRICHED FRACTION. DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES OF THE ENZYME ASSOCIATED WITH THE MICROSOMAL AND MYELIN FRACTIONS

Abstract— The properties of rat CNS UDP-galactose-ceramidc galactosyltransferase in an axolemma-enriched fraction (AXL), microsomes, and myelin simultaneously isolated with the AXL was characterized using a newly developed assay system. The microsomal enzyme utilized either magnesium or manganese equally well as the divalent cation at 3.3 m m , while both the myelin and AXL enzyme preferred manganese over magnesium at this concentration. The microsomal enzyme was more stable to heat inactivation than the myelin or AXL enzyme. The AXL galactosyltransferase had the highest specific activity at 15 days (8-fold higher than that of the microsomes) and dramatically decreased in specific activity with development. The developmental profile of the myelin enzyme paralleled that of the AXL although the absolute specific activity was lower than that of AXL. In contrast, the specific activity of microsomal enzyme was quite low at the earliest age then sharply increased to 25 days and gradually decreased with further development. The specific activity of the enzyme in AXL isolated from Quaking mouse was dramatically decreased (about 5% of control levels) whereas both whole homogenate and microsomal specific activity were decreased to 35% of control levels. These data indicate that AXL and myelin contain a galactosyltransferase with properties which are unique relative to those of the microsomal fraction. The possible functional significance of these findings with respect to myelination is discussed.     

Precocious induction of pepsinogen in the stomach of suckling mice by hormones

Effects of hormones on pepsinogen activity in mouse stomach were investigated by enzyme assay and electron microscopy. Administration of hydrocortisone alone to mice on days 5–10 increased the enzyme activity in the stomach to as much as 4.5-fold that of untreated mice and the increase was dose dependent. Thyroxine also evoked precocious differentiation of the stomach. The effects of thyroxine and hydrocortisone were additive. Injections of insulin had little effect when given alone, or in combination with other hormones. Injection of hydrocortisone alone or plus thyroxine also caused morphological differentiation of the chief cells in the stomach mucosa. Administration of thyroxine to mice on days 15–20 induced as much enzyme activity as that induced by hydrocortisone, but neither of these hormones had any effect when injected after day 23.These results suggest that besides hydrocortisone, thyroxine is also involved in differentiation of the stomach in mice for the first 20 days after birth and that the normal increase of pepsinogen activity in the stomach of mice during the late suckling period is brought about by serum glucocorticoids, possibly with thyroxine.     

Hormonal control of renal phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity during development of the rat.

The effect of injections of hormones in utero on fetal rat kidney and liver extramitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity has been studied. Glucagon and thyroxine induced the liber enzyme but none of the hormones tested affected the renal enzyme. In the postnatal rat, the hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate barboxykinase activity is increased after triamcinolone or thyroxine injection but only triamcinolone injection increases the activity of the kidney enzyme. It is suggested that the rise in renal phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity at about 10 days of age is due to the increase in blood corticosterone content occurring at the same age.     

Modulation of the activity of 5′-nucleotidase by the transfer of non-esterified cholesterol to rat-liver microsomal fraction and evidence for regulation of the concentration of non-esterified cholesterol in plasma membranes in vivo

The transfer of non-esterified cholesterol to rat-liver microsomal fraction resulted in a considerable decrease in the activity of 5′-nucleotidase and in changes in the characteristics of the Arrhenius plots of the enzyme. The decrease in the activity of 5′-nucleotidase and the increase in the concentration of non-esterified cholesterol in the serum-treated preparations were serum-concentration-dependent and incubation-time-dependent. The enzyme in serum-treated preparations with high non-esterified cholesterol content showed Arrhenius plots with a constant activation energy between 37 and 19°C, whereas the enzyme in the non-treated microsomal fraction or the lipoprotein-deficient serum-treated preparations showed a break at about 28°C, with activation energies higher below and lower above the break. These changes in the temperature-induced kinetics are consistent with an increase in the concentration of non-esterified cholesterol in the plasma membrane vesicles of the serum-treated preparations. The Arrhenius plots of 5′-nucleotidase in liver microsomal fraction from rats fed cholesterol-supplemented diet showed constant activation energy between 37 and 19°C and had similar characteristics with the plots for 5′-nucleotidase in serum-treated preparations. Since the changes in the characteristics of Arrhenius plots of the enzyme in microsomal fraction from rats that had been denied food for 36 h were in the opposite direction to those produced by feeding cholesterol, these results are consistent with a lower concentration of non-esterified cholesterol in hepatic plasma membranes from fasted rats relative to that in plasma membranes from fed rats. The isolation of a plasma membrane preparation with negligible contamination of endoplasmic reticular membranes from rats fed the standard or cholesterol-supplemented diet and from fasted rats showed that the ratio of cholesterol to phospholipid has increased in the preparation from rats fed cholesterol and decreased in that from rats that had been denied food relative to the ratio in the preparation from rats fed the standard diet. The Arrhenius plots of 5′-nucleotidase in these preparations showed characteristics similar to the corresponding plots of the enzyme in the microsomal fraction from the rats in the three experimental conditions.     

Characterization of sheep liver and lung microsomal ethylmorphine N-demethylase

Ethylmorphine N-demethylase activity of the sheep liver and lung microsomes was reconstituted in the presence of solubilized microsomal cytochrome P-450, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and synthetic lipid, phosphatidylcholine dilauroyl. The Km of the lung microsomal ethylmorphine N-demethylase was calculated to be 4.84 mM ethylmorphine from its Lineweaver-Burk graph and lung enzyme was inhibited by its substrate, ethylmorphine, when its concn was 25 mM and above, reaching to 67% inhibition at 50 mM concn. The Lineweaver-Burk and Eadie-Hofstee plots of the liver enzyme were found to be curvilinear. From these graphs, two different Km values were calculated for the liver enzyme as 4.17 mM and 0.40 mM ethylmorphine. Ethylmorphine N-demethylase activities of both liver and lung microsomes were inhibited by NiCl2, CdCl2 and ZnSO4. Ethylalcohol inhibited N-demethylation of ethylmorphine in lung and liver microsomes. Acetone (5%) slightly enhanced the N-demethylase activity of the liver enzyme, whereas 5% acetone completely inhibited the lung enzyme. Phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride at 0.10 mM and 0.25 mM concn had no effect on liver enzyme activity, while at these concns, it inhibited the activity of the lung enzyme by about 35%.     

Rat liver iodothyronine monodeiodinase. Evaluation of the iodothyronine ligand-binding site

Ligand binding characteristics of rat liver microsomal type I iodothyronine deiodinase were evaluated by measuring dose-response inhibition and apparent Michaelis-Menten or inhibitor constants of iodothyronine analogues to compete as substrates or inhibitors for the natural substrate L-thyroxine. These data show strong correlations with the binding requirements of hormone analogues to serum thyroxine-binding prealbumin since iodothyronine analogues with a negatively charged side chain, a negative charge or hydrogen bonding function in the 4'-position, tetraiodo ring substitution, and a skewed hormone conformation are structural features shared in common which markedly affect enzyme activity and protein binding affinity. 3,3',5'-Triiodo-L-thyronine is the most potent natural substrate (IC50 = 0.3 microM) and tetraiodothyroacetic acid is the most potent inhibitor (IC50 = 0.2 microM). Both thyroxine (T4)-5'- and T4-5-deiodination pathways are inhibited by these potent analogues, providing further evidence for a single enzyme catalyzing the rat liver microsomal deiodination reactions. These data also show that L-hormone analogues are preferentially deiodinated via the T4-5'-deiodination pathway, whereas D-analogues produce products via the T4-5-deiodination pathway. The thyroxine-binding prealbumin complex was used to model the interaction of thyroid hormones with the deiodinase active site. Computer graphic modeling of the prealbumin complex showed that only those analogues which are potent deiodinase inhibitors or substrates can be accommodated in the hormone binding site. This model suggests the design of functionally specific ligands which can modulate peripheral thyroid hormone metabolism and act as antithyroidal drugs.     

5′-Nucleotidase from bovine brain cortex: effect of solubilization on enzyme kinetics and modulation

The kinetic characteristics and the EDTA inhibition of microsomal 5′-nucleotidase from bovine brain cortex were studied and compared with the properties of the enzyme solubilized with Lubrol WX. The K_m value after enzyme solubilization was not significantly different from that of the membrane-bound enzyme. Likewise, di- and trinucleotides performed a similar competitive inhibition of the two forms of the enzyme. In contrast, divalent cations inhibited the intact microsomal enzyme activity at the same concentrations in which they increased the soluble-enzyme activity. The solubilization of microsomal 5′-nucleotidase did not change the progressive and irreversible character of the EDTA inhibition, but the mechanism of the irreversible inhibition was different. The addition of divalent metal cations did not affect the irreversibility of either inhibition, even though the effect on the residual activities was different. The Arrhenius plot of the 5′-nucleotidase activity in intact microsomal fraction exhibited a well-defined break at 31 ± 0.1°C, whereas that of the solubilized enzyme was a straight line. It is concluded then that microsomal 5′-nucleotidase from bovine brain cortex does not require the membrane environment to express its activity, although the influence of this lipidic environment was evident in the differences observed in the enzyme activity modulation by EDTA, cations and temperature.     

Optimal assay conditions for liver UDP-glucuronosyltransferase from the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri

Several kinetic characteristics and assay dependence of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase were studied with microsomal preparations made from liver of rainbow trout. The optimal enzyme assay, performed by incubating less than 5 mg microsomal protein/ml assay buffer for 20 min at 25 degrees C and in pH 7.0, contains 2.5 X 10(-5) M p-nitrophenol (p-NP) and 2.5 X 10(-3) M UDP-glucuronic acid (UDPGA). Apparent Km values revealed that the affinity of trout enzyme for p-NP and UDPGA is, respectively, about 70 and 10 times higher than that of rat enzyme. The optimized method will be used for aquatic bioassays, e.g. when assessing the influencing of toxic effluents from the pulp and paper industry.     

Subcellular distribution of thyroxine 5'-monodeiodinase activity in rabbit kidney

Thyroxine 5'-monodeiodinase is located in the proximal tubules of the rabbit kidney. To estimate the subcellular distribution of 5'-monodeiodinase activity, we prepared subcellular fractions, a basolateral membrane fraction and a brush border membrane fraction, from kidneys of Japanese white rabbits. Each fraction (0.5 mg protein) was incubated at 37 degrees C for 60 min with 0.5 micrograms T4 in the presence of 5 mM DTT. The T3 generated in the reaction mixture was extracted with cold ethanol and measured by RIA. For analysis of propylthiouracil-insensitive thyroxine 5'-monodeiodinase, we examined its kinetic behavior at nanomolar concentrations of the substrate, T4, in the presence of 100 microM propylthiouracil. In order of decreasing activity, basolateral membrane, microsomal fraction, mitochondrial fraction, cytosolic fraction, brush border membrane and nuclear fraction were capable of converting T4 to T3. Upon addition of 10(-5) M propylthiouracil to the reaction mixture, 5'-monodeiodinase activities of basolateral membrane and brush border membrane were inhibited by more than 90%, but that of microsomes was inhibited by only about 50%. In addition, kinetic analysis of microsomal 5'-monodeiodinase activity at nanomolar T4 concentrations in the presence of 10(-4) M propylthiouracil suggested on apparent Km of 3.8 nmol. These results indicate that there is high-Km 5'-monodeiodinase activity (PTU-sensitive) in the basolateral and brush border membranes and also high-Km and low-Km 5'-monodeiodinase (PTU-insensitive) in the microsomes of rabbit kidney.