Cell-cycle-specific activity of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase in Physarum polycephalum

The cell-cycle-related activities of the cAMP- and cGMP-dependent phosphodiesterases of Physarum polycephalum were assayed. The activities of plasmodial homogenate and of selected subcellular fractions were measured. The results suggested the presence of both cAMP- and cGMP-dependent phosphodiesterase in the isolated nuclei of P. polycephalum. In addition, they reveal that the cAMP- and cGMP-dependent phosphodiesterase activities of the subcellular fractions fluctuate throughout the cell cycle. The whole-cell homogenates exhibit no cell-cycle-related changes in the presence of 5 X 10(-4) M cGMP. Kinetic data suggest the presence of multiple phosphodiesterase activities in the homogenate and its particulate fractions for the cGMP-dependent enzyme. Multiple cAMP activities are also suggested for the particulate fractions. The Km values indicate that the substrate affinities of the phosphodiesterases from P. polycephalum are similar to those found previously in mammalian systems.     

The activity of guanylate cyclase and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase during synchronous growth of the acellular slime mould Physarum polycephalum.

Guanylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.2.) and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.-.) activity were measured in three subcellular fractions of Physarum polycephalum macroplasmodia isolated at intervals during synchronous growth. In a particulate fraction prepared by high-speed centrifugation guanylate cyclase activity was twice to ten times that of other fractions and highest in mid S and late G2. Two-thirds of the cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase activity was in a soluble fraction but there was no significant change in enzyme activity or distribution during the mitotic cycle.     

Studies On Cyclic Nucleotide Metabolism In Tetrahymena Pyriformis: Partial Characterization of Cyclic Amp- and Cyclic Gmp-Dependent Phosphodiesterases*

SYNOPSIS. Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase [EC 3.1.4.17] was examined in Tetrahymena pyriformis strain NT-1. Enzymic activity was associated with the soluble and the particulate fractions, whereas most of the cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase activity was localized in the soluble fraction: the activities were optimal at pH 8.0–9.0. Although very low activities were detected in the absence of divalent cations, they were significantly increased by the addition of either Mg²⁺ or Mn^2-. A kinetic analysis of the properties of the enzymes yielded 2 apparent K_III values ranging in concentration from 0.5 to 50 μM and from 0.1 to 62 μ M for cyclic AMP and GMP. respectively. A Ca²⁺-dependent activating factor for cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase was extracted from Tetrahymena cells, but this factor did not stimulate guanylate cyclase [EC 4.6.1.2] activity in this organism. On the other hand, Tetrahymena also contained a protein activator which stimulated guanylate cyclase in the presence of Ca²⁺, although this activator did not stimulate the phosphodiesterase. the results suggested that Tetrahymena might contain 2 types of Ca²⁺-dependent activators, one specific for phosphodiesterase and the other for guanylate cyclase.     

A partial characterization of the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases of Drosophila melanogaster

The cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases in crude homogenate, soluble material, and particulate preparations of adult Drosophila melanogaster flies, hydrolyze cyclic AMP with nonlinear kinetics. Cyclic GMP is hydrolyzed by the phosphodiesterases in crude homogenate and soluble material with linear kinetics. Physical separation techniques of gel filtration, velocity sedimentation, and ion-exchange chromatography reveal that Drosophila soluble fraction contains two major forms of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase. Form I hydrolyzes both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP. Inhibition experiments suggest that the hydrolysis of both cyclic nucleotides by Form I occurs at a single active site. The K_m's for hydrolysis of both substrates are about 4 μm. This form has a molecular weight of about 168,000 as estimated by gel nitration. Form II cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase is specific for cyclic AMP as substrate. Gel filtration indicates that this form has a molecular weight of about 68,000. The K_m for cyclic AMP is about 2 μm.     

ONTOGENETIC DEVELOPMENT OF A PHOSPHODIESTERASE ACTIVATOR AND THE MULTIPLE FORMS OF CYCLIC AMP PHOSPHODIESTERASE OF RAT BRAIN

Abstract— The activity of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase of rat cerebral homogenates increased several-fold between 1 and 60 days of age. Enzyme activity in the cerebellum, on the other hand, did not increase during this period. A kinetic analysis of the phosphodiesterase activity revealed evidence for multiple forms of the enzyme and indicated that the postnatal increase in phosphodiesterase activity of rat cerebrum was due almost exclusively to the high K_m enzyme. In cerebellum, the ratio of the high and low K_m enzyme remained fairly constant during ontogenetic development. Physical separation of the phosphodiesterases contained in 100,000 g soluble supernatant fractions of sonicated brain homogenates by polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis confirmed the presence of multiple enzyme forms. In adult rats we found six distinct peaks of phosphodiesterase activity (designated I to VI according to the order in which they were eluted from the column) in cerebellum and 4 forms of the enzyme (Peaks I through IV) in cerebrum. Brains of newborn rats had a different pattern and ratio of phosphodiesterase activities. For example, Peak I phosphodiesterase was undetectable in cerebrum or cerebellum of newborn rats. Moreover, in the cerebellum of newborn rats Peak II was the dominant peak whereas in the cerebellum of adult rats Peak III was the largest peak. A comparison of the multiple forms of phosphodiesterase from the cerebrum of newborn and adult animals suggested that the postnatal increase in phosphodiesterase activity previously seen in crude homogenates was due largely to an increase in a high K, Peak II phosphodiesterase. The ratios of activities of the other peaks and their sensitivities to an activator of phosphodiesterase were similar in newborn and adult rats. An endogenous heat-stable activator of phosphodiesterase was found in cerebrum, cerebellum and brain stem. In newborn rats, the cerebellum contained several-fold less activity of this activator than did cerebrum or brain stem. However, the activity of this activator increased with age in the cerebellum and would appear to have decreased postnatally in cerebrum and brain stem. These results suggest that some multiple forms of phosphodiesterase can develop independently and that changes in activities of these phosphodiesterases may occur by increases in the quantity of enzyme or by changes in the quantity of an endogenous activator of phosphodiesterase.     

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases from rat anterior pituitary. Characterization of multiple forms and regulation by protein activator and Ca+.

Phosphodiesterase activities for adenosine and guanosine 3':5'-monophosphates (cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP) were demonstrated in particulate and soluble fractions of rat anterior pituitary gland. Both fractions contained higher activity for cyclic GMP hydrolysis than that for cyclic AMP hydrolysis when these activities were assayed at subsaturating substrate concentrations. Addition of protein activator and CaCl2 to either whole homogenate, particulate or supernatant fraction stimulated both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP phosphadiesterase activities. Almost 80% of cyclic AMP and 90% of cyclic GMP hydrolyzing activities were localized in soluble fraction. Particulate-bound cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity was completely solubilized with 1% Triton X-100. Detergent-dispersed particulate and soluble enzymes were compared with respect to Ca2+ and activator requirements and gel filtration profiles. Particulate, soluble and partially purified phosphodiesterase activities were also characterized in relation to divalent cation requirements, kinetic behavior and effects of Ca2+, activator and ethyleneglycol-bis-(2-aminoethyl)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid. Gel filtration of either sonicated whole homogenate or the 10500 X g supernatant fraction showed a single peak of activity, which hydrolyzed both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP and was dependent upon Ca2+ and activator for maximum activity. Partially purified enzyme was inhibited by 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine and papaverine with the concentration of inhibitor giving 50% inhibition at 0.4 muM substrate being 20 muM and 24 muM for cyclic AMP and 7 muM and 10 muM for cyclic GMP, respectively. Theophylline, caffeine and theobromine were less effective. The rat anterior pituitary also contained a protein activator which stimulated both pituitary cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase(s) as well as activator-deficient brain cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP phosphodiesterases. Chromatography of the sonicated pituitary extract on DEAE-cellulose column chromatography resolved the phosphodiesterase into two fractions. Both enzyme fractions hydrolyzed cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP and had comparable apparent Km values for the two nucleotides. Hydrolysis of cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP by fraction II enzyme was stimulated 6--7-fold by both pituitary and brain activator in the presence of micromolar concentrations of Ca2+.     

Arachidonic acid activation of guinea pig lung guanylate cyclase by two independent mechanisms

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms by which arachidonic acid activates guanylate cyclase from guinea pig lung. Guanylate cyclase activities in both homogenate and soluble fractions of lung were examined. Guanylate cyclase activity was determined by measuring formation of [32-P] cyclic GMP from α-[32-P] GTP in the presence of Mn²⁺, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and a suitable GTP regenerating system. Arachidonic acid, and to a slight extent dihomo-γ-linolenic acid, activated guanylate cyclase in homogenate but not soluble fractions. Similarly, phospholipase A₂ activated homogenate but not soluble guanylate cyclase. Methyl arachidonate, linolenic, linoleic and oleic acids did not activate guanylate cyclase in either fraction. High concentrations of indomethacin, meclofenamate and aspirin inhibited activation of homogenate guanylate cyclase by arachidonic acid and phospholipase A₂, without altering basal enzyme activity. These data suggested that a product of cyclooxygenase activity, present in the microsomal fraction, may have accounted for the capacity of arachidonic acid to activate homogenate guanylate cyclase. This view was supported by the findings that addition of the microsomal fraction to the soluble fraction enabled arachidonic acid to activate soluble guanylate cyclase, an effect which was reduced with cyclooxygenase inhibitors. Lipoxygenase activated guanylate cyclase in homogenate and soluble fractions. Arachidonic acid potentiated the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase by lipoxygenase, and this effect was inhibited with nordihydroguaiaretic acid, 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone and hydroquinone, but not with high concentrations of indomethacin, meclofenamate or aspirin. These data suggest that arachidonic acid activates guinea pig lung guanylate cyclase indirectly, via two independent mechanisms, one involving the microsomal fraction and the other involving lipoxygenase.     

Subcellular distribution of iodothyronine 5′-deiodinase in cerebral cortex from hypothyroid rats

We have examined iodothyronine deiodination in subcellular fractions of cerebral cortex obtained from hypothyroid rats. Enzymatic activities were measured at 37°C in the presence of 20 mM dithiothreitol with ¹²⁵I-labeled T₄ and ¹²⁵I-labeled rT₃ as substrate for 5′-deiodination and ¹³¹I-labeled T₃ as the substrate for the 5-deiodinase. Reaction products were separated by descending paper and/or ion-exchange chromatography. Cerebral cortex subcellular fractions were also characterized by marker enzyme analysis and electron microscopy. Under optimal reaction conditions more than 80% of the 5′-deiodinase was recovered after fractionation. Both 5′-deiodinase and (Na⁺ +K⁺-ATPase showed similar subcellular distributions and were enriched approx. 3-fold in the easily sedimenting membrane fraction and nerve terminal plasma membranes. Crude microsomal membranes (6·10⁶g·min pellet) also showed 2-fold enrichment of these enzymes. Nuclei and isolated mitochondria were devoid of deiodinating activity. T₄ and T₃ 5-deiodinating activity was absent in the easily sedimenting membranes and present but not enriched in particulate fractions containing microsomal membranes. These data suggest that iodothyronine 5′-deiodinase is associated with plasma membrane fractions in the cerebral cortex.     

Subcellular distribution of prostaglandin and gonadotrop in receptors in bovine corpora lutea.

The subcellular distribution of prostaglandin (PG) E₁, F₂α and gonadotropin receptors in bovine corpora lutea was critically examined by preparing various subcellular fractions, assaying for various marker enzymes to assess the purity and examining ³H-PGE₁, ³H-PGF₂α and ¹²⁵I-human lutropin (hLH) specific binding. The marker enzyme data suggested that subcellular fractions were relatively pure with little or no cross contamination. The binding of ³H-PGs and ¹²⁵I-hLH was markedly enriched in plasma membranes with respect to homogenate. The other subcellular fractions also exhibited binding despite very little or no detectable 5′-nucleotidase activity. If 5′-nucleotidase was assumed to lack sensitivity and reliability to detect minor contamination with plasma membranes and ³H-PGs or ¹²⁵I-hLH binding were used as sensitive plasma membrane markers, it was still difficult to explain binding in other fractions based on plasma membrane contamination. Therefore, these results lead to the inevitable conclusion that plasma membranes were primary (or one of the primary) but not exclusive sites for PGE₁, PGF₂α and gonadotropin receptors.     

Phosphatidylinositol kinase,phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate kinase and diacylglycerol kinase activities in rat brain subcellular fractions

Subcellular fractions isolated and purified from rat brain cerebral cortices were assayed for phosphatidylinositol (PI-), phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PIP-), and diacylglycerol (DG-) kinase activities in the presence of endogenous or exogenously added lipid substrates and [γ-³²P]ATP. Measurable amounts of all three kinase activities were observed in each subcellular fraction, including the cytosol. However, their subcellular profiles were uniquely distinct. In the absence of exogenous lipid substrates, PI-kinase specific activity was greatest in the microsomal and non-synaptic plasma membrane fractions (150–200 pmol/min per mg protein), whereas PIP-kinase was predominantly active in the synaptosomal fraction (136 pmol/min per mg protein). Based on percentage of total protein, total recovered PI-kinase activity was most abundant in the cytosolic, synaptosomal, microsomal and mitochondrial fractions (4–11 nmol/min). With the exception of the microsomal fraction, a similar profile was observed for PIP-kinase activity when assayed in the presence of exogenous PIP (4 nmol/20 mg protein in a final assay volume of 0.1 ml). Exogenous PIP (4 nmol/20 mg protein) inhibited PI-kinase activity in most fractions by 40–70%, while enhancing PIP-kinase activity. PI- and PIP-kinase activities were observed in the cytosolic fraction when assayed in the presence of exogenously added PI or PIP, respectively, but not in heat-inactivated membranes containing these substrates. When subcellular fractions were assayed for DG-kinase activity using heat-inactivated DG-enriched membranes as substrate, DG-kinase specific activity was predominantly present in the cytosol. However, incubation of subcellular fractions in the presence of deoxycholate resulted in a striking enhancement of DG-kinase activities in all membrane fractions. These findings demonstrate a bimodal distribution between particulate and soluble fractions of all three lipid kinases, with each exhibiting its own unique subcellular topography. The preferential expression of PIP-kinase specific activity in the synaptic membranes is suggestive of the involvement of PIP₂ in synaptic function, while the expression of PI-kinase specific activity in the microsomal fraction suggests additional, yet unknown, functions for PIP in these membranes.     

Aggregation states of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase of murine thymocytes

In murine thymocytes cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase is represented by cAMP- and cGMP-specific forms. cAMP and cGMP phosphodiesterase activities showed anomalous kinetic behaviour indicative of 'low' and 'high' affinity enzyme forms. Sucrose density gradient centrifugation resolved only 'low' affinity forms of cAMP and cGMP phosphodiesterases. Gel filtration on Ultragel Aca 34 column showed that cAMP and cGMP phosphodiesterases are probably oligomeric enzymes. Storage of enzyme preparation at 4 degrees C for 24-48 h led to a decrease of higher molecular weight form and enhancement of cAMP and cGMP phosphodiesterase activities.     

Adenylate cyclase and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases in the developing rat liver

A potential regulatory role for the cyclic nucleotides during liver morphogenesis will be better understood as the development of various components of the cyclic nucleotide system are characterized. Accordingly, adenylate cyclase response to glucagon and 5′-guanylimidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) and the specific activities, cellular distributions, and kinetic constants (V and K_m) of the cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterases were determined at variuos stages of rat liver development. These results show (1) a period of increasing sensitivity of rat liver adenylate cyclase to glucagon at a time when sensitivity to NaF and Gpp(NH)p remains unchanged, and (2) increased responsiveness to glucagon plus Gpp(NH)p which is dependent upon the degree of glucagon sensitivity. It is concluded that the guanul nucleotide regulatory site is a functional part of adenylate cyclase very early in liver development and that the development of glucagon sensitivity is more probably limited by the developmet of glucagon receptors. Two forms of each phosphodiesterase (high and low K_m) were found throughout, except that low K_m cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase could not be demonstrated in the embryo. No significant change with age was found for the K_m or V of any of the enzyme forms. The ratio of soluble: particulate cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase decreased with age, whereas no change in the ration for cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase was observed. Specific activities of each enzyme from were highest in the perinatal period and decreased with age. The changes in phosphodiesterase specific activities paralled changes in guanylate and adenylate cyclase activities, which argues against a selective regulatory role for phosphodiesterase in modulating cyclic nucleotide influences during liver morphogenesis.     

Intracellular Localization of GDP-Fucose: Polysaccharide Fucosyl Transferase in Corn Roots (Zea mays L.)

The intracellular site of synthesis of the fucose-rich polysaccharide slime secreted by corn roots was localized by monitoring the distribution of GDP-fucose:polysaccharide fucosyl transferase activity in subcellular fractions of corn roots. Root tip sections were chopped in the presence of 0.56 molar sucrose and 100 millimolar Tris (pH 7.0). After a brief centrifugation, the homogenate was applied to a Sepharose 4B column (1.5 × 30 cm). The turbid, particulate portion of the supernatant fraction eluted at the void volume. Ninety per cent of the enzyme activity was found in the pooled particulate fractions. The particulate fraction was purified on linear sucrose gradients. Gradient fractions were characterized by buoyant density, 280 nanometer absorbance, electron microscope observation, and distributions of NADH-cytochrome c oxidoreductase and fucosyl transferase activities.     

Rat sperm enzymes during epididymal transit

The activities of cAMP and cGMP phosphodiesterases (EC 3.1.4.1), adenylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.1) and protein carboxyl-methylase (EC 2.1.1.24) were measured in the particulate and soluble (105 000 g supernatant) fractions of washed spermatozoa isolated from five segments of the adult rat epididymis. The activities of both phosphodiesterases decreased during epididymal transit, whereas adenylate cyclase and protein carboxyl-methylase underwent a progressive increase, the latter showing the most marked alteration. Both cAMP and cGMP phosphodiesterases as well as the adenylate cyclase were all associated primarily with the particulate fraction, and the extent to which these enzymes were associated with the membranes increased as the spermatozoa passed through the epididymis. Sperm protein carboxyl-methylase activity was, on the other hand, predominantly soluble in all segments of the epididymis. Adenylate cyclase, cAMP phosphodiesterase and protein carboxyl-methylase activities were found predominantly in the sperm tails, whereas cGMP phosphodiesterase was equally distributed between heads and tails. These observations imply that the acknowledged increase in intracellular cAMP levels which occurs in spermatozoa during epididymal transit may be a consequence of both increased synthesis (adenylate cyclase) and reduced hydrolysis (phosphodiesterase).     

Subcellular localization of prostaglandin E2 binding sites in bovine adrenal medulla

Prostaglandins E₁ and E₂ are specifically bound by particulate fractions from bovine adrenal medulla. The subcellular localization of these binding sites has been investigated by comparing their distribution in subcellular fractions obtained by differential and gradient centrifugation to those of marker enzymes for various organelles. Prostaglandin E₂ binding sites were purified about 16-fold with respect to the homogenate in a fraction which was highly enriched in plasma membranes on the basis of the activities of the marker enzymes acetylcholinesterase and calcium-dependent ATPase, which were both purified by about 12-fold in this fraction. The plasma membrane fraction contained relatively low activities of marker enzymes for mitochondria (monoamine oxidase), lysosomes (acid phosphatase), endoplasmic reticulum (glucose-6-phosphatase), Golgi (galactosyl transferase) and chromaffin granule membranes (dopamine β-hydroxylase). The only other fractions enriched in prostaglandin E₂ binding sites were those for the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi, in which the binding sites were purified about 4-fold and 7-fold, respectively. This is probably due mainly to contamination with plasma membranes, since calcium-dependent ATPase and acetylcholinesterase were each purified to a similar extent in these two fractions. These data suggest that the high-affinity prostaglandin E₂ binding sites of the adrenal medulla are localized primarily on the plasma membranes of the medullary cells.     

Opposing interactions of ionophores (valinomycin and monensin) on calcium ion uptake in rat retinal preparations

Valinomycin is a potent inhibitor of taurine-stimulated ATP-dependent calcium ion uptake in rat retinal membrane preparations but had no effect on ATP-dependent calcium ion uptake in the absence of taurine and no effect on ATP-independent calcium ion uptake. The presence of potassium ions in the buffer systems were required for valinomycin to be inhibitory. On the contrary, monensin stimulated calcium ion uptake in the ATP-dependent system but had no effect on ATP-independent calcium ion uptake. The crude retinal homogenate was also fractionated into various subcellular components. The fraction which contained photoreceptor cell synaptosomes (P₁) had a higher, specific activity for taurinestimulated ATP-dependent calcium ion uptake than the crude homogenate or either the fractions which contained synaptosomes derived from the plexiform layer (P₂) or rod outer segments (ROS). No differences in calcium ion uptake were observed in the various subcellular fractions compared to the homogenate when assayed for ATP-dependent calcium ion uptake. Valinomucin inhibited both ATP-dependent and taurine-stimulated ATP-dependent calcium ion uptake in the P₁, P₂, and ROS fractions while monensin stimulated the ATP-dependent calcium ion uptake in the subcellular fractions.     

THE SUBCELLULAR DISTRIBUTION OF β-PHENYLETHYLAMINE, p-TYRAMINE AND TRYPTAMINE IN RAT BRAIN

—The quantitative subcellular distribution of β-phenylethylamine, p-tyramine and tryptamine in rat brain was investigated using the mass spectrometric integrated ion current technique. More of the total cellular tryptamine was found to be associated with paniculate fractions than was the case for phenyiethylamine and p-tyramine but a significant amount of this tryptamine was found to be labile. Analysis of the particulate fractions indicated that each of the amines was localized predominantly in the crude P₂ pellet and that the bulk of this was associated with the synaptosomal (P₂B) fraction. Inhibition of monoamine oxidase systems with pargyline caused an increase in the level of all three amines in all fractions, but the increase was greater in the supernatant than in the combined particulate fractions. This treatment produced changes in the distribution of β-phenylethylamine and p-tyramine between the various particulate subcellular fractions but did not markedly alter the distribution of tryptamine between the same fractions.     

Insulin and glucagon degradation by the kidney II. Characterization of the mechanisms at neutral pH

Insulin and glucagon degradation by rat kidney homogenates and subcellular fractions was examined under a variety of conditions including high and low substrate concentrations, at pH 4 and pH 7, with and without glutathione. At high insulin concentration (4.1 · 10⁻⁵ M) insulin degradation by the homogenate was greatest at pH 4 but at low insulin concentration (1 · 10⁻¹⁰ M) insulin degradation was greatest at pH 7. At either high or low glucagon concentration glucagon degradation by the homogenate was greatest at pH 7. Glutathione at pH 7 stimulated insulin degradation at high insulin concentrations and inhibited insulin degradation at low concentrations. Glucagon degradation at pH 7 was inhibited at both high and low concentrations of glucagon by glutathione.Separation of kidney into cortex and medulla prior to homogenation produced a pattern of insulin and glucagon degradation identical to the whole homogenate but glucagon degradation by the medulla was greater than by the cortex.Examination of degradation by subcellular fractions revealed that at high concentration at neutral pH most insulin was degraded by the 100 000 × g pellet but at low insulin concentrations over 90% of the activity was in the 100 000 × g supernatant. At pH 7, at both high and low concentrations, most glucagon-degrading activity was in the 100 000 × g pellet, although the cytosol also had activity. At pH 4 most degradation occurred in the lysosomal fractions.Separation into cortex and medulla again showed similar distribution of activity as the whole gland with the medulla having more glucagon-degrading activity than the cortex. With low insulin concentrations the cortex 100 000 × g supernatant had higher relative specific activities than the medulla supernatant.Examination of recoveries of enzyme activity revealed that the subcellular fractions consistently had markedly less insulin-degrading activity than the original homogenate. This loss of activity was only discernible when insulin degradation was performed at pH 7 at low substrate concentrations. Comparable losses of glucagon-degrading activity were not seen.     

Plurality of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase in Spinacea oleracea: subcellular distribution,partial purification,and properties

An active cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase has been partially purified from the 100 000 g supernatant of a spinach homogenate. It precipitated at 20–40% saturation with (NH₄)₂SO₄ and was separated on a column of Sephadex G-200 into two major peaks of activity (peaks 1 and 2). Peak 1 (MW 5 × 10⁵) was resolved by column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose into 5 protein fractions; two of these (1_c and 1_m) exhibited cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity. Subcellular fractionation showed that the phosphodiesterase of highest specific activity is located in the peroxisomes but that an enzyme of relatively high specific activity also occurs in the chloroplast and Golgi fractions. The largest total activity was in the microsomes. Isoelectric focussing of chloroplast phosphodiesterase activity gave two bands corresponding to peaks 1_c and 2. Similar examination of the microsomal, peroxisomal and Golgi fractions showed phosphodiesterases corresponding to peaks 1_m and 2. Peak 1_c activity is greater towards purine 3′,5′-cyclic nucleotides than towards their 2′,3′-isomers; the converse is true of peak 1_m. Examination of the properties of 1_c and 1_m showed a number of other differences. The pH optimum of 1_c is 6.1 and that of 1_m is 4.9. Theophylline (0.1 mM) inhibited 1_c to a greater extent than it did 1_m; Ca²⁺ stimulated 1_c activity but had no effect on 1_m. Pre-incubation with trypsin inhibited 1_m activity whereas similar treatment of 1_c gave an initial 5-fold stimulation. Repeated freezing and thawing of preparations 1_c and 1_m also evoked a difference in response. These results were shown to be attributable to removal of an inhibitor from 1_c. Evidence is presented that an endogenous activator is also present.     

Subcellular distribution of potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium and chloride in cerebral cortex

The subcellular distributions of potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium and chloride have been determined for rabbit cerebral cortex. After homogenization and differential centrifugation, the following percentages of ions were associated with the particulate fraction (nuclear, mitochondrial, synaptic vesicles, and microsomal): (a) 19% of the total potassium; (b) 22% of the total sodium; (c) 77% of the total calcium; (d) 69% of the total magnesium; and (e) less than 2% of the total chloride. However, the sum of the potassium and sodium content in each of the particulate fractions was greater than the sum of the calcium and magnesium content. After hypo-osmotic shock of the crude mitochondrial fraction (M_T), more sodium than potassium (μmol/g wet wt.) was associated with the mitochondrial (M₁) and synaptic vesicle (M₂) fractions. The molar ratio of sodium to potassium was 1·4 for M₁ and 4·5 for M₂. The association of ²²Na⁺ with the particulate fractions was further studied by the method of equilibrium dialysis. The data from both types of experiments indicate that a large fraction of the sodium in cortical tissue appears to be in a bound state.