Absence of beta-galactosidase (lactase) activity from intestinal brush borders of suckling macropods: implications for mechanism of lactose absorption

1. Neutral beta-galactosidase (lactase) activity was absent from crude brush borders of small intestines of three species of suckling macropods (kangaroos and wallabies), even though the intestinal mucosal homogenates had high beta-galactosidase activities. 2. These activities were entirely due to an intracellular acid beta-galactosidase, probably located in lysosomes. 3. The results suggest that the absorptive-digestive mechanism for lactose in macropods is fundamentally different from that in eutherian mammals.     

ATP activation of protein degradation by extracts of crude and purified lysosomal preparations

Activation of proteolysis by ATP was studied in lysates of crude and purified lysosomal preparations from liver and kidney at acid pH. In the crude system, from kidney, it was found that ATP activates proteolysis over a concentration range of 0.1-2 mM. Up to 4-fold activation was observed. GTP and CTP also activated proteolysis, but to a lesser extent. Proteolysis was inhibited by vanadate and molybdate. Fractionation of the kidney lysosomes on Percoll gradients produced two fractions containing lysosomal marker enzymes. Most of the acid phosphatase and the acid pyrophosphatase were found in the lighter band, while most of the beta-galactosidase and cathepsin activity was found in a more dense band. Proteolysis by lysates of both fractions was activated by ATP and inhibited by vanadate and molybdate. In the dense band proteolysis was also nearly totally blocked by pepstatin, and was enhanced by an inhibitor of pyrophosphatases, sodium fluoride. ATP also activates proteolysis in crude lysosomes from liver, but upon fractionation of this tissue it was found that all the lysosomal enzyme markers are present in the dense fraction obtained from the Percoll gradient. Again, proteolysis by lysates of the purified fractions was activated by ATP and inhibited by vanadate and molybdate. These data indicate that ATP can activate proteolysis at acid pH in a lysosomal milieu containing enzymes which also catalyze its breakdown. In the kidney there may be two lysosomal compartments which separate the enzymes catalyzing ATP breakdown from the proteolytic enzymes, but this is not essential for ATP activation as shown by the data from the liver and the crude lysosomal fractions.     

Rat small-intestinal β-galactosidases. Kinetic studies with three separated fractions

1. Three fractions of beta-galactosidase activity from the rat small-intestinal mucosa were separated chromatographically. Two of these fractions had an acid pH optimum at 3-4, and the third one had a more neutral pH optimum at 5.7. 2. The two ;acid' beta-galactosidase fractions had considerably lower K(m) values for hetero beta-galactosides than for lactose. The V(max.) values were similar for all the substrates used (lactose, phenyl beta-galactoside, o-nitrophenyl beta-galactoside, p-nitrophenyl beta-galactoside and 6-bromo-2-naphthyl beta-galactoside). No difference could be detected between the two ;acid' fractions with respect to their enzymic properties (pH optimum, K(m) for the different substrates, K(i) for lactose as an inhibitor of the hydrolysis of hetero beta-galactosides, K(i) for phenyl beta-galactoside as an inhibitor of the hydrolysis of lactose, and relative V(max.) for the hydrolysis of different substrates). These two fractions probably represent different forms of the same enzyme. 3. The ;neutral' fraction had similar K(m) values for all the substrates hydrolysed, but with lactose as substrate the V(max.) was much higher than with the hetero beta-galactosides. This fraction did not split phenyl beta-galactoside or 6-bromo-2-naphthyl beta-galactoside at a measurable rate. 4. Lactose was a competitive inhibitor of the hetero beta-galactosidase activities of all the three fractions, and K(i) for lactose as an inhibitor in each case was the same as K(m) for the lactase activity. Phenyl beta-galactoside was a competitive inhibitor of the lactase activity of all the three fractions. These facts strongly indicate that in all the three fractions lactose is hydrolysed by the same active sites as the hetero beta-galactosides. 5. Human serum albumin stabilized the separated enzymes against inactivation by freezing and thawing.     

Human small-intestinal β-galactosidases. Separation and characterization of three forms of an acid β-galactosidase

1. An acid beta-galactosidase, optimum pH4.0-4.5, in the human small-intestinal mucosa was separated and characterized. 2. Autolysis of mucosal homogenates at acid pH inactivated the lactase and hetero beta-galactosidase; the total activity of the acid beta-galactosidase was only slightly depleted, but a greater proportion of the enzyme was solubilized by this treatment. 3. Separation on a Sephadex G-200 column revealed that the acid beta-galactosidase could occur in at least three different forms, probably representing monomer, dimer and octamer or polymer of the enzyme. 4. The properties of the different forms of the acid beta-galactosidase were studied with regard to pH optimum, K(m), rate of hydrolysis of different substrates, and sensitivity to p-chloromercuribenzoate and tris as inhibitors. All these properties were the same for the different forms of the enzyme. 5. The acid beta-galactosidase hydrolyses lactose as well as hetero beta-galactosides and contributes to the lactase activity of intestinal biopsies also when measured at pH 6. This enzyme may therefore be responsible for a considerable part of the residual lactase activity found in lactose-intolerant patients.     

Human small-intestinal β-galactosidases. Separation and characterization of one lactase and one hetero β-galactosidase

1. Two beta-galactosidases from human small-intestinal mucosa were separated by gel-filtration chromatography and the properties of the two enzymes were studied. Lactose and four hetero beta-galactosides were used as substrates. 2. One of the enzymes was particle-bound and could be partially solubilized with papain. Of the substrates hydrolysed by this enzyme, lactose was hydrolysed most rapidly. This enzyme is thus essentially a disaccharidase and is named lactase. It is presumably identical with the ;lactase 1' described earlier. 3. The other enzyme was mainly soluble and hydrolysed all artificial substrates used, whereas no lactase activity could be detected. This enzyme has therefore been designated hetero beta-galactosidase. 4. p-Chloromercuribenzoate (0.1mm) inhibited the hetero beta-galactosidase completely but did not influence the activity of the lactase. Tris was a competitive inhibitor of both enzymes. 5. The residual lactase activity in the mucosa of lactose-intolerant patients may be exerted by a small amount of remaining lactase as such, or possibly by a third enzyme with a more acid pH optimum.     

ISOLATION AND BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF BRUSH BORDERS FROM RABBIT KIDNEY

A technique for the isolation of intact brush borders from rabbit renal cortex was evaluated. The procedure was monitored by phase and electron microscopy and marker enzymes, i.e. ATP:NMN adenylyl transferase, nuclear; cytochrome oxidase, mitochondrial; β-glucuronidase, lysosomal; and glucose-6-Pase, microsomal; and indicated an essentially pure preparation of brush borders. The disaccharidase, trehalase, previously reported in renal tubules, was localized uniquely in brush borders. Maltase was also found; the specific activities of the two enzymes in the brush borders were increased 10- to 20-fold. Other disaccharidases, such as sucrase, isomaltase, lactase, and cellobiase, were absent. It is suggested that trehalase and maltase are appropriate candidates for marker enzymes of the renal brush border. Isolated brush borders possessed a ouabain-sensitive (Na⁺ + K⁺) ATPase, an oligomycin-insensitive Mg⁺⁺ ATPase, and a Ca⁺⁺-activated ATPase. Alkaline phosphatases, dephosphorylating β-glycero-P, and trehalose-6-P were also present. The specific activities of these enzymes were increased three-to-five fold in the brush-border preparations; however, activities were found in other subcellular fractions of the renal cortex. Hexokinase, although evident in the isolated brush border, was found prominently associated with other membranous fractions. Phosphoglucomutase and UDPG pyrophosphorylase were localized in the soluble fraction of the renal cortex.     

Intestinal lactase and other disaccharidase activities of a suckling crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophagus)

1. The intestinal disaccharidase activities of a suckling crabeater seal were investigated. 2. Lactase, maltase, isomaltase and cellobiase activities were readily detected but trehalase and sucrase activities were absent. 3. The intestinal homogenates were separated into a soluble (S2) fraction and a particulate brush border (P2) fraction. The lactase activities of the two fractions had different properties corresponding to those of an acid and a neutral beta-galactosidase respectively. Approximately two-thirds of the total lactase activity measured at pH 6.0 was due to the acid beta-galactosidase. 4. The isomaltase and cellobiase activities were found almost exclusively in the particulate fractions but about one third of the maltase activity was in the S2 fraction. This soluble maltase activity appeared to be due to an acid maltase.     

Intestinal glycosidase activities in one adult and two suckling echidnas: absence of a neutral lactase (beta-D-galactosidase)

The activities of various glycosidases in homogenates of the small-intestinal mucosa of one adult and two suckling echidnas, Tachyglossus aculeatus, were investigated. The activities of lactase (beta-D-galactosidase), beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, neuraminidase and alpha-L-fucosidase were higher in the sucklings than in the adult animal. Maltase and isomaltase activities were lower. Sucrase and cellobiase activities were absent or present in trace amounts only. The lactase activity had a pH optimum of 4.0-4.5, was predominantly in the soluble fraction following ultracentrifugation and was inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate, suggesting that it was due to a lysosomal acid beta-galactosidase and not a brush-border neutral lactase. The maltase activity of the sucklings also had the characteristics predominantly of a lysosomal acid hydrolase. It is proposed that in suckling echidnas, the oligosaccharides (mainly neuraminyllactose and fucosyllactose) of the mother's milk are digested intracellularly by lysosomal enzymes, rather than at the brush border, of the epithelial cells of the small-intestinal mucosa.     

Intestinal disaccharidase and alkaline phosphatase activities in experimental rabbit mucoid enteropathy

Mucoid enteropathy was induced experimentally by ligation of the cecum, and the activities of mucosal disaccharidases and alkaline phosphatase were measured at different locations along the small intestine of the sick and control rabbits. In the duodenum of rabbits with mucoid enteropathy, the activity of acid beta-galactosidase II was elevated and hetero beta-galactosidase declined. In the jejunum, the activities of lactase, acid beta-galactosidase I and II, hetero beta-galactosidase, trehalase, sucrase and alkaline phosphatase were significantly lower in animals with mucoid enteropathy. In the ileum, acid beta-galactosidase II, hetero beta-galactosidase, maltase, trehalase, sucrase and alkaline phosphatase showed decreased activity in rabbits with mucoid enteropathy.     

Intestinal lactase (beta-galactosidase) and other glycosidase activities in suckling and adult tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii)

The activities of various glycosidases in homogenates of the small intestinal mucosa of two adult and 18 suckling tammar wallabies (M. eugenii) aged from 6 to 50 weeks were investigated. Lactase (beta-D-galactosidase), beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, alpha-L-fucosidase and neuraminidase activities were high during the first 34 weeks post partum and then declined to very low levels. Maltase, isomaltase, sucrase and trehalase activities were very low or absent during the first 34 weeks, and then increased. The lactase activity was unusual in being greater in the distal than the middle or proximal thirds of the intestine, and in its low pH optimum (pH 4.6), inhibition by p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate but not by Tris, and lack of cellobiase activity. These properties are those of a lysosomal acid beta-galactosidase rather than of a brush border neutral lactase. The maltase activity had the characteristics of a lysosomal acid alpha-glucosidase early in lactation and of a brush border neutral maltase in adult animals. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to changes in dietary carbohydrates during weaning and to the mode of digestion of milk carbohydrates by the pouch young.     

Latency of acid hydrolases in rat kidney cortex

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

Isolation of pig thyroid lysosomes. Biochemical and morphological characterization.

Open thyroid follicles were prepared by mechanical disruption of pig thyroid fragments through a metal sieve. This procedure allowed preparation of thyroid-cell material depleted of colloid thyroglobulin. Open thyroid follicles were used to prepared a crude particulate fraction, which contained lysosomes, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. These organelles were subfractionated by isopycnic centrifugation on iso-osmotic Percoll gradients. A lysosomal peak was identified by its content of acid hydrolases: acid phosphatase, cathepsin D, beta-galactosidase and beta-glucuronidase. The lysosomal peak was well separated from mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. The lysosomal peak, from which Percoll was removed by centrifugation, was taken as the purified lysosome fraction (L). Lysosomes of fraction L were purified 45-55-fold (as compared with the homogenate) and contained about 5% of the total thyroid acid hydrolase activities. Electron microscopy showed that fraction L was composed of an approx. 90% pure population of lysosomes, with an average diameter of 220 nm. Acid hydrolase activities were almost completely (80-90%) released by an osmotic-pressure-dependent lysis. Thyroglobulin was identified by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis as a soluble component of the lysosome fraction. In conclusion, a 50-fold purification of pig thyroid lysosomes was achieved by using a new tissue-disruption procedure and isopycnic centrifugation on Percoll gradient. The presence of thyroglobulin indicates that the lysosome population is probably composed of primary and secondary lysosomes. Isolated thyroid lysosomes should serve as an interesting model to study the reactions whereby thyroid hormones are generated from thyroglobulin and released into the thyroid cells.     

Beta-galactosidase decreases the binding affinity of the insulin-like-growth-factor-II/mannose-6-phosphate receptor for insulin-like-growth-factor II

The insulin-like growth-factor-II/mannose-6-phosphate (IGF-II/Man6P) receptor binds two classes of ligands, insulin-like growth factors and lysosomal enzymes. We have examined the ability of the lysosomal enzyme, beta-galactosidase, to modulate the binding of 125I-IGF-II to the receptor. beta-Galactosidase purified from bovine testis was fractionated on a DEAF-Sephacel ion-exchange column. Column fractions were assayed for enzymatic activity and for ability to inhibit the binding of 125I-IGF-II to the IGF-II/Man6P receptor. Enzyme fractions eluting at higher NaCl concentrations which had previously been shown to exhibit greater uptake by cells in culture, exhibited greater potency in inhibiting the binding of 125I-IGF-II to the receptor. A pool of these fractions from the DEAE-Sephacel column inhibited 125I-IGF-II binding to pure receptor by 80% with the concentration required for half-maximal inhibition being 25 nM. The inhibition of binding by beta-galactosidase was completely blocked by simultaneous incubation with Man6P. Inhibition of the enzymatic activity of beta-galactosidase with D-galactonic acid gamma-lactone did not affect the ability of beta-galactosidase to inhibit the binding of 125I-IGF-II to the receptor. Scatchard analysis of IGF-II binding to pure receptor in the presence and absence of beta-galactosidase showed that beta-galactosidase decreased the binding affinity for IGF-II (Kd 0.26 nM versus 1.0 nM in the presence of 57 nM beta-galactosidase). We confirmed the observations of others that Man6P alone actually increases the binding of 125I-IGF-II to the IGF-II/Man6P receptor, but we found that this phenomenon was dependent upon the method of preparation of the IGF-II/Man6P receptor. Microsomal membrane preparations, solubilized membranes, and receptors purified on an IGF-II-Sepharose column all exhibited stimulation of 125I-IGF-II binding by Man6P, whereas receptors purified on lysosomal enzyme affinity columns showed little or no stimulation of 125I-IGF-II binding by Man6P. We conclude that beta-galactosidase decreases the binding affinity of the IGF-II/Man-6-P receptor for IGF-II by binding with high affinity to the Man6P-recognition site.     

Characterization of porcine adrenocortical lysosomes

Porcine adrenocortical lysosomes were characterized by differential centrifugation, acid hydrolase contents, latency of cathepsin D, release of bound acid hydrolases in soluble form, and isopycnic density gradient centrifugation. Cathepsins D and B, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, beta-galactosidase and arylsulphatase were found exclusively in the lysosomes, while alpha-mannosidase and beta-glucuronidase were in both the lysosomal and microsomal fractions. The activity of cathepsin D was remarkably high, amounting to more than 6 times that in porcine liver and to more than 10 times that in liver of Sprague-Dawley rats in terms of units per g wet tissue. Porcine adrenocortical lysosomes showed a modal isopycnic density value of 1.155, but mitochondria a value of 1.145. The validity of these values was studied by investigating the possibilities of agglutination of organelles, damage to lysosomal membranes, disruption of mitochondria due to the hydrostatic pressure and by applying the same procedures of isopycnic centrifugation to hog and rat livers. After these validity tests, porcine adrenocortical lysosomes were concluded to be unique in their strikingly high content of cathepsin D as well as in their low modal isopycnic density which is very close to that of porcine adrenocortical mitochondria.     

Studies on the fractionation of mucosal homogenates from the small intestine

1. Homogenates of the mucosa of the small intestine of the guinea pig were separated by fractional sedimentation into seven different fractions. The enzymic properties of some of these subcellular fractions were compared with those obtained from the mucosa of the small intestine of the rabbit and cat. 2. The enzymic properties of the low-speed sediment (15000g-min.) were investigated and it was shown that invertase and alkaline ribonuclease were predominantly located in this subcellular fraction, whereas alkaline phosphatase, aryl-amidase, acid phosphatase, acid ribonuclease and phosphoprotein phosphatase, though true constituents of this fraction, occurred to varying degrees in other subcellular structures also. 3. It was shown that the most probable source of the enzymic activities observed in the low-speed sediment was the brush border. Electron micrographs of the purified brush-border fraction indicated vesicles derived from the brush-border membrane. 4. A method is described for the fractionation of mucosal homogenates into a brush border-plus-nuclei fraction, a mitochondrial fraction, a microsomal fraction and a particle-free supernatant. The fractions were shown to be relatively pure, as indicated by the distribution of invertase, DNA, succinate dehydrogenase, glucose 6-phosphatase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. 5. Most of the activity of four lysosomal enzymes present in the nuclei-free homogenate was sedimented at 375000g-min., suggesting the occurrence of lysosomal particles in mucosal homogenates. 6. Further fractionation of the microsomal membranes into three fractions is described. The enzymic composition of the membrane fractions is given and discussed in relation to their structure as seen in electron micrographs.     

Lysosomal hydrolase secretion by Tetrahymena: a comparison of several intralysosomal enzymes with the isoenzymes released into the medium.

Tetrahymena pyriformis were grown in proteose-peptone medium and then washed and incubated in a dilute salt solution for one hour. The cells were then discarded and the lysosomal hydrolases that had been secreted were subjected to DEAE cellulose column chromatography. At least three isoenzymes of acid phosphatase, three of acid protease, and two of beta-N-acetylhexoseaminidase were found, as well as single peaks of alpha-mannosidase, beta-galactosidase, and beta-fucosidase. The latter two activities were not resolved by the DEAE column and could not be separated in a second chromatographic step on CM-cellulose. Cells were also grown under identical conditions and homogenized in 0.25 M sucrose in order to allow comparison of some of the intracellular lysosomal hydrolases with their secreted counterparts. Two lysosomal populations were resolved by sucrose density gradient sedimentation, a heavy lysosomal fraction, contered at a density of about 1.25 gm/cm3, and a light lysosomal fraction, centered at a density of about 1.16 gm/cm3. These two populations differed in that the light lysosomes did not appear to contain significant amounts of beta-fucosidase, beta-galactosidase, or acid protease, whereas all six of the hydrolase activities studied were present in the heavy lysosomes. The light lysosomal peak occurred in cells grown to transition phase, but was markedly reduced in cells from cultures grown to stationary phase. In addition to these two fractions a third very light particle, containing only alpha-mannosidase activity, was detected just inside the gradient. Measurements were made of the effect of heat (10 minutes at 66 degrees) and of a change in pH from 4.5 (standard assay condition) to 6.0 on the three acid phosphatases and two beta-N-acetylhexoseaminidase isoenzymes resolved by DEAE column chromatography of the secreted hydrolases and on these hydrolyases in the heavy and light lysosomal fractions on the sucrose gradient. Use of the thermostability and pH criteria permitted computation of the expected properties of the intralysosomal acid phosphatase and hexoseaminidase activities if these consisted of the respective isoenzymes in the proportions secreted. It was found that neither the intralysosomal acid phosphatase nor the intralysosomal hexoseaminidase had the properties expected if they consisted of the secreted mixture of the respective isoenzymes, indicating that modification of some of these isoenzymes may have occurred during the 1-hour starvation period or after secretion.     

Inhibition of liver lysosomal cholesterol esterase activity in rats by dextran blue in vivo and in vitro

Dextran blue decreases the activity of lysosomal acid cholesteryl esterase of rat liver at a concentration from 0.25 M to 10 M without altering acid phosphatase, acid beta-galactosidase and beta-glucosidase activities. The dextran blue filled lysosomes with a high degree of purity prepared by centrifugation over the linear sucrose density gradient contained insignificant impurities (up to 19%) of protein from other organelles. The specific activity of acid phosphatase, beta-galactosidase and beta-glucosidase was increased 35-40-fold in this fraction, whereas the activity of acid cholesteryl esterase rose but 14.7-fold. Chromatography on a Sepharose 2B column of the digitonin-digested native and dextran-containing lysosomes attests to the formation of large dextran aggregates with lysosomal matrix proteins. Since aggregation of dextran blue with acid phosphatase, beta-galactosidase and beta-glucosidase does not affect their activities, it is concluded that to bring about hydrolysis of lipoprotein cholesterol esters, it is necessary that cholesteryl esterase be associated with hydrophobic macromolecules. Moreover, dextran blue can be used for simulation cholesterol esters deposition in lysosomes.     

Soluble and membrane-bound enzyme-active antigens of rat-liver lysosomes.

Secondary lysosomes were isolated from rat liver and separated into a soluble and a membrane fraction. Plasma membranes and microsomes were also isolated and antisera against the various fractions were prepared in rabbits. Lysosomal content and detergent-solubilized membrane fractions were analysed in two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis (crossed immunoelectrophoresis). The immunoprecipitates were stained by histochemical procedures for different enzyme activities such as phosphatases, non-specific esterase, arylsulphatase, glycosidases and L-leucyl-beta-naphthylamidase. When lysosomal content was tested against its corresponding antiserum, 17 different precipitates could be seen. Most of the enzyme activities tested were shown to reside separately in one or a few precipitates each. In contrast, when the membrane extracts were investigated, a more polymorphic pattern of enzyme-active precipitates appeared. Thus, when lysosomal membrane extracts were reacted with homologous antiserum 11 precipitates with acid phosphatase activity were obtained. Several of the antigens were electrophoretically different and immunologically non-identical. As expected from the biology of secondary lysosomes, many of their antigens were also found in microsomes and/or plasma membranes, but several antigens unique for lysosomes were detected concomitantly. Closer analysis of these results indicated that several seemingly identical enzyme-active proteins occurred both in soluble and membrane-associated forms. However, while many of the membrane antigens expressed 2-4 different enzyme activities, only one activity was detected in individual precipitates of the lysosomal content. Thus, acid phosphatase activity was found together with esterase activity in three membrane-associated antigens. The precipitates formed by two of these also stained for arylsulphatase and nucleoside tri-, di- and monophosphatase activities. L-Leucyl-beta-naphthylamidase activity was found in one additional acid-phosphatase-active precipitate.     

Further characterization of intestinal lactase/phlorizin hydrolase

Pig intestinal lactase/phlorizin hydrolase (EC 3.2.1.23/62) was purified in its amphiphilic form by immunoadsorbent chromatography. The purified enzyme was free of other known brush border enzymes and appeared homogeneous in immunoelectrophoresis and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of SDS. Pig lactase/phlorizin hydrolase was shown to have the same quaternary structure as the human enzyme, i.e., built up of two polypeptides of the same molecular weight (160000). In addition to hydrolyzing lactose, phlorizin and a number of synthetic substrates, both the human and the pig enzyme were shown to have a considerable activity against cellotriose and cellotetraose, and a low but significant activity against cellulose. The lactase/phlorizin hydrolase isolated from pigs in which the pancreatic ducts had been disconnected 3 days before death and from Ca2+-precipitated enterocyte membranes (basolateral and intracellular membranes) exhibited in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis the same size of constituent polypeptides and the same catalytic and immunological properties as a normal brush border lactase/phlorizin hydrolase.     

The activator of cerebroside sulphatase. Lysosomal localization.

1) An activator protein necessary for the enzymic hydrolysis of cerebroside sulphate could be partially purified from unfractionated rat liver. This activator, which is similar to that of human origin, proved to be a heat-stable, non-dialyzable, low molecular weight protein with an isoelectric point of 4.1. Its activity could be destroyed by pronase. 2) For elucidation of the subcellular localization of the activator, rat liver was fractionated by differential centrifugation. The intracellular distribution of the cerebroside sulphatase activator was compared to the distribution patterns of marker enzymes for different cell organelles and found to coincide with the lysosomal arylsulphatase, thus indicating a lysosomal localization. 3) This was confirmed using highly purified secondary, i.e. iron-loaded, lysosomes. After disruption by osmotic shock, these organelles hydrolyzed cerebroside sulphate when incubations were performed under physiological conditions with endogenous as well as exogenous sulphatase A as enzyme. 4) After subfractionation of the disrupted secondary lysosomes into membrane and lysosol fractions by high speed centrifugation, it was found that the activator protein was exclusively associated with the lysosol, whereas the acid hydrolases were distributed differently between the two fractions. 5) The lysosol was further fractionated by semi-preparative electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels. Two protein fractions were obtained: a high molecular weight fraction, containing the activator-free acid hydrolases, and a low molecular weight fraction, containing the enzyme-free activator of cerebroside sulphatase. 6) The significance of these findings for the hydrolysis of sphingolipids in the lysosomes is discussed.