Membrane-bound 5′-nucleotidase inhibitor in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells and newborn mouse liver

5′-Nucleotidase activity in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells was undetectable. The cell homogenate, when mixed with adult mouse liver homogenate, inhibited the 5′-nucleotidase activity of the latter, without affecting is p-nitrophenyl phosphate-hydrolysing activity. The inhibitor activity was enriched (6.8-fold) in a membrane fraction which was enriched in (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase (14-fold) and alkaline phosphatase (8-fold). 5′-Nucleotidase activity in this membrane fraction could be detected only after separating the inhibitor activity from the enzyme on Sephadex G-50. The inhibitor activity was decreased by 27% when heat-treated, 33% when treated with 6 M urea and was almost completely lost when treated with trypsin. It was dialysable from a tubing with a molecular exclusion limit of 10 000, but was retained in a tubing with an exclusion limit of 3000. From these results we conclude that a small molecular weight protein inhibitor(s) of 5′-nucleotidase is present in the plasma membrane of Ehrlich ascites tumour cells. Also, the presence of such an inhibitor in the newborn mouse liver but not in the adult liver suggests that it may have some role in cellular ageing and cancer.     

Isolation and characterization of 5'-nucleotidase inhibitor from rat liver.

5'-Nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.5) is widely distributed in nature. However, it could not be detected in rat liver, because of the presence of specific inhibitors. Such inhibitors were also found in other tissues of rat, but at lower concentrations than that in the liver. The inhibitor activity was enriched in the membrane fraction and was also present in the cytosol fraction. It was sensitive to treatment with 6M urea and trypsin, while heating in a boiling water bath for 10 min or dialysis reduced the activity only slightly. Gel filtration or Sephadex G-50 yielded two types of inhibitors. Inhibitor I inhibited brain 5'-nucleotidase while inhibitor II inhibited both the brain and liver enzymes. Inhibitor II on further purification on CM Sephadex C-25 yielded five fractions with inhibitor activity of which inhibitor IIC was electrophoretically homogeneous. It had a molecular weight of 8500 by SDS gel electrophoresis, was rich in basic amino acids and had a high proportion of beta structure. Interaction of the inhibitor with 5'-nucleotidase brought about modifications in the secondary structure of the inhibitor as seen from the circular dichroism spectrum.     

Absence of 5'-nucleotidase in porcine polymorphonuclear leucocyte membranes

A fraction enriched in plasma membranes from porcine polymorphonuclear leucocytes, isolated by sucrose density centrifugation was shown to possess considerable AMP hydrolysing activity (150 nmol/min per mg protein). However all of this activity could be inhibited using excess p-nitrophenyl phosphate in the incubation medium. Furthermore the hydrolysis of AMP by the membrane was unaffected by the 5'-nucleotidase inhibitor alpha, beta-methyleneadenosine diphosphate and by the lectin concanavalin A, another potent inhibitor of 5'-nucleotidase. An antibody against mouse liver 5'-nucleotidase also did not inhibit the activity. These results suggest that the hydrolysis of AMP by porcine polymorph membranes is not accomplished by a specific 5'-nucleotidase and the necessity for distinguishing between true 5'-nucleotidase and non-specific phosphatase activity is discussed.     

Monoclonal antibodies against 5'-nucleotidase from chicken gizzard. Evidence for species and tissue specific differences of 5'-nucleotidase

5'-Nucleotidase from chicken gizzard smooth muscle was purified to homogeneity and used as immunogen for generating monoclonal antibodies. From about 150 positive clones nine IgG producing hybridoma cell lines have been selected for further characterization and antibody preparation. The resulting antibodies bind 5'-nucleotidase from chicken smooth muscle, chicken skeletal muscle, and chicken heart muscle but not the enzyme from chicken liver or rat liver. It could clearly be demonstrated that the nine antibodies recognize different antigenic determinants. Four of these antibodies are strong inhibitors of the AMPase activity of 5'-nucleotidase. One antibody is a weak inhibitor and four other antibodies have no effect on its enzymic activity. One of the monoclonal antibodies was used for immunoaffinity purification of 5'-nucleotidase from chicken heart muscle and chicken skeletal muscle. Pure and active enzymes could be isolated from detergent extracts in one step with a 10 to 20-fold higher yield compared to classical purification procedures. The subcellular distribution of 5'-nucleotidase in chicken gizzard was investigated using indirect immunofluorescence. We found a staining of the plasma membrane of smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells by all of the nine antibodies with variations in the staining intensity.     

Comparison of Ehrlich ascites tumour and mouse liver cells by analytical subcellular fractionation combined with a sensitive computational method for data analysis

A simple method of analytical subcellular fractionation, combined with a sensitive computational method for data analysis and presentation, has been used to reinvestigate the distribution and relative amounts of several enzymes in the cytoplasmic and plasma membranes of two different cell types: one is a neoplastic, transformed cell type (Ehrlich ascites tumour cells), the other an untransformed, highly differentiated cell type (liver hepatocytes plus Kupffer and endothelial cells). In general the distribution of the enzymes in particular membranes is similar in the two cell types, however the relative amounts differ. Ehrlich ascites tumour cells have a higher specific activity of galactosyltransferase and ouabain-sensitive (Na,K)ATPase, while liver cells have higher glucose-6-phosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase and succinate dehydrogenase activity. These differences appear to be correlated with morphological and, in some cases, functional differences between the two cell types.     

5'-Nucleotidase in rat liver lysosomes

5'-Nucleotidase was found in purified rat liver tritosomes. When tritosomes were subfractionated into the membrane and soluble contents fractions, 73% of the total 5'-nucleotidase activity was found in the membrane fraction and 24% in the soluble contents fraction. Immunoblotting using specific polyclonal antibodies against the rat liver plasma membrane 5'-nucleotidase showed that the mobilities on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of both 5'-nucleotidases in the membrane and contents fractions were identical to that of the enzyme in the plasma membranes (Mr = 72,000). 5'-Nucleotidases in the membrane and contents fractions were sensitive to neuraminidase and converted into a form that was 4 kDa smaller after digestion, as observed in the case of plasma membrane enzyme. 5'-Nucleotidases, both from the membrane and contents fractions, were purified using immunoaffinity chromatography, and the isoelectric points, heat stability, and oligomeric structure of the purified enzymes were compared. Isoelectric focusing and the heat stability test indicated the resemblance of the soluble enzyme to the membrane-bound enzyme. However, the membrane-bound enzyme aggregated in the absence of Triton X-100, whereas the soluble enzyme behaved as a dimer. The topography of 5'-nucleotidase in the tritosomal membranes was studied using antibodies against 5'-nucleotidase and neuraminidase treatment. The inhibition of 5'-nucleotidase were not observed in the intact tritosomal fraction until the tritosomes had been disrupted by osmotic shock. These results show that the active sites and the oligosaccharide chains of 5'-nucleotidase are located on the inside surface of the tritosomal membranes.     

Isolation of a highly enriched sarcolemma membrane fraction from canine heart.

A highly enriched sarcolemma preparation was isolated by differential centrifugation of a canine ventricular homogenate followed by centrifugation of a membrane fraction layered over 22% (w/v) sucrose. Ouabain binding, ouabain-sensitive potassium phosphatase activity and 5'-nucleotidase activity were enriched 19--27 fold over the homogenate whereas Ca2+-ATPase and succinate dehydrogenase activities were 0.75 and 0.36, respectively, of that for the homogenate. The isolation procedure was relatively rapid and yielded about 2.0 mg protein/100 g of ventricular muscle. The highest salt concentration used in the procedure was 0.6 M KCl and no detergents were employed. Initial characterization studies suggested that the sarcolemma-enriched fraction consists predominantly if not totally of freely permeable membrane vesicles and that the sarcolemma does not manifest a Ca2+-ATPase activity, at least within the limits of the assay procedures employed. This preparation was concluded to be about 1.5- to 4-fold more highly enriched with sarcolemmal markers than preparations obtained by previously published procedures. Accordingly, the preparation provides an improved basis for the probe of calcium movements that occur across the sarcolemma in association with the excitation-contraction-relaxation sequence of the mammalian myocardial cell.     

Isolation and characterization of 5'-nucleotidase of a human pancreatic tumor cell line

5'-Nucleotidase of a human pancreatic tumor cell line (PaTu II) has been purified to homogeneity after extraction with detergent followed by two affinity chromatographic steps. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of purified 5'-nucleotidase revealed a single polypeptide band of 67 kDa. The Western blotted enzyme can be overlaid with concanavalin A proving its glycoprotein nature. After treatment with endoglycosidase F the deglycosylated 5'-nucleotidase exhibits an apparent molecular mass of 58 kDa. The kinetic properties of the solubilized enzyme have been determined (Km (AMP) of 4.0 microM; Vmax (AMP) = 8.6 muMOL/min.mg). Adenosine 5'-[alpha,beta-methylene]diphosphate is a competitive inhibitor of 5'-nucleotidase, whereas concanavalin A inhibits the enzymatic activity in a non-competitive manner. Polyclonal antibodies against purified 5'-nucleotidase of PaTu II have been produced which inhibit its enzymatic activity. Polyclonal antibodies raised against the enzyme purified from rat liver or bull seminal plasma also recognize 5'-nucleotidase of PaTu II cells, whereas polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against the enzyme derived from chicken gizzard show no cross-reactivity. 5'-Nucleotidase appears to be concentrated in the plasma membrane of PaTu II cells as judged by cell fractionation and indirect immunofluorescence studies.     

Implications of a 5'-nucleotidase inhibitor in human leukemic cells for cellular aging and cancer

5'-Nucleotidase activity of normal human embryonic lung fibroblasts (IMR-90) was found to be inhibited by the homogenates of seven different cell lines originated from patients with different kinds of leukemia and of fresh lymphocytes from a patient with Sezary syndrome (circulating T-cell lymphoma). About 97% of the inhibiting activity was found in the soluble fraction of RPMI 8402 cells, a cell line originated from the lymphocytes of a patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia. This inhibiting activity was not destroyed by dialysis, heating at 56 degrees C for 30 min, nor digestion with RNAase or DNAase. About 85% of the inhibiting activity was destroyed by digestion with papain at 37 degrees C for 1 h and it was destroyed completely by heating at 100 degrees C for 30 min. When the heated (56 degrees C for 30 min) soluble fraction of RPMI 8402 cells was mixed with the homogenate of IMR-90 cells, it had no effect on the activities of alkaline, neutral or acid phosphatases, nor of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase or cytochrome c oxidase of IMR-90 cells. Preincubating the mixed samples for 1, 20 and 45 min, respectively, before adding the substrate, the heated soluble fraction of RPMI 8402 cells did not increase the percentage of inhibition for 5'-nucleotidase of the homogenate of IMR-90 cells. No inhibition of other enzyme activities was observed under similar conditions. These data suggest that the inhibiting activity is due to a protein(s) that is not a protease. The inhibiting activity was found in a single peak after the soluble fraction was fractionated by Sephadex G-100 chromatography and sedimentation centrifugation. The molecular weight of the inhibitor was found to be approx. 35,000 by comparing its retention volume and sedimentation rate with those of proteins of known molecular weight. The present study suggest that the previously reported undetectability of 5'-nucleotidase in permanent cell lines could be due to the presence of a protein inhibitor for 5'-nucleotidase in these human leukemic cell lines. It also supports the hypothesis that the increased 5'-nucleotidase activity in normal senescent cells in vitro may be a control in cellular aging that is missing from leukemic cells in vitro.     

Alteration of 5'-Nucleotidase and Na+, K+-ATPase in Central and Peripheral Nervous Tissue from Dysmyelinating Mutants (jimpy, quaking, Trembler, shiverer, and mld). Comparison with CNPase in the Developing Sciatic Nerve from Trembler

Abstract: 5'Nucleotidase and Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase are very probably myelin-associated enzymes, although not specific for this membrane. Thus, it is important to determine their activity in dysmyelinating mutants in either CNS (quaking, jimpy, shiverer, and mld) or PNS (Trembler). CNS: The activity of 5'nucleotidase was lower in mouse than in rat (10.5 and 28.0 nmol/min/mg protein in brain, respectively). In mouse myelin, the activity was 30 nmol/min/mg protein (and 72 in rat myelin). In mutants, the brain activity was very close to normal. In contrast, ATPase, the activity of which was higher in myelin as compared with forebrain homogenate, presented a reduced activity in various 21-day-old and adult mutants, except Trembler. It was normal in 8-day-old quaking and in cerebella from mutants. PNS: ATPase was lower than in brain and reduced in most mutants, this being expected for Trembler and quaking but not for shiverer and mld. 5'-Nucleotidase activity was higher compared with that in brain homogenate (relatively stable between 10-day postnatal and adult). It was affected in the mutants; in Trembler it was nearly normal in young animals but increased during development. Thus in Trembler, two different myelin-related enzymes and a myelin-specific enzyme (CNPase) presented different developmental patterns: ATPase was always reduced, 5'-nucleotidase was normal, and CNPase was slightly below normal in young (68% of the control value); CNPase activity declined during development but 5'-nucleotidase increased (42% and 190% of the control in 60-day-old animals). It is necessary to consider these results in parallel with alterations in the PNS because of Schwann cell abnormalities. Thus, determination of these two enzymes will provide a useful tool to study myelination and myelin assembly under both normal and pathological conditions.     

Properties of 5'-nucleotidase in rat heart sarcolemma

The activity of 5'-nucleotidase (5'-ribonucleotide phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.5) was examined in membrane fractions isolated by hypotonic shock-LiBr treatment (fraction HL) and sucrose gradient separation (fraction S) of rat ventricle homogenate. The enzyme activity in these two fractions differed significantly in several respects. In fraction HL, 5'-nucleotidase had a high affinity for AMP (Km 35 microM), and ATP was a potent competitive inhibitor. In contrast, the 5'-nucleotidase displayed by fraction S showed a low substrate affinity (Km 130 microM) and less sensitivity to ATP. Treatment of membranes with trypsin and neuraminidase markedly stimulated 5'-nucleotidase in fraction HL, whereas only a modest effect was observed in fraction S. Exposure of the membranes to Triton X-100 resulted in a 60% and 10% increase in the enzyme activity in fractions HL and S, respectively. The characteristic activity ratios of 5'-nucleotidase at 200 microM relative to 50 microM AMP in fractions HL and S were modified by alamethicin in an opposite way and became identical. Although concanavalin A almost completely inhibited the 5'-nucleotidase activity in both membrane preparations at a concentration of 2 microM, Hill plots of the data on concanavalin A inhibition revealed a coefficient of 2.2 for fraction S and 1.1 for fraction HL. The differences in 5'-nucleotidase activity of the two membrane fractions are considered to be due to differences in the orientation of the vesicles of the sarcolemmal preparations. These results suggest that two distinct catalytic sites for 5'-nucleotidase are present at the intra- and extracellular surface of the rat heart sarcolemma.     

Isolation of a porcine liver plasma membrane fraction that binds low density lipoproteins.

Large amounts of injected radiolabeled low density lipoproteins have been found by others to accumulate primarily in the liver and studies in various types of isolated cells, including hepatocytes, have indicated the presence of specific cell membrane recognition sites for lipoproteins. In the present studies, the high affinity binding of radiolabeled low density lipoproteins ([125I]LDL, d 1.020--1.063 g/mL) was measured in the major subcellular fractions of porcine liver homogenates. The nuclear and mitochondrial fractions were 1.9- and 1.4-fold enriched in binding activity with respect to unfractionated homogenates and contained 15% and 12% of the total binding activity, respectively. The microsomes, which contained most of the plasma membranes and endoplasmic reticulum, were approximately 4-fold enriched in binding and contained 73% of the binding activity. Microsomal subfractions obtained by differential homogenization and centrifugation procedures were 5.6--7.0-fold enriched in LDL binding and contained 54--58% of the homogenate binding activity. They were separated by discontinuous sucrose density gradient centrifugation into fractions which contained "light" and "heavy" plasma membranes and endoplasmic reticulum. The heavy membrane fraction was 2--4 fold in binding with respect to the parent microsomes (16--22 fold with respect to the homogenate). There was no enrichment of binding activity in the other two fractions. Two plasma membrane "marker" enzymes, nucleotide pyrophosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase, were also followed. Of the two, binding in the sucrose density gradient subfractions most closely followed nucleotide pyrophosphatase, which was also most highly enriched (3.2--3.3-fold) in the heavy membrane fraction, but did not follow it exactly. The enzyme was 2-fold richer in the light membranes than in the parent microsomes, though the light membrane binding activity was only 0.4--1.4 times that of the parent microsomes. High affinity binding was time and temperature dependent, saturable, and inhibited by unlabeled low density lipoproteins but not by unrelated proteins. Binding was stimulated 2--3 fold Ca2+, was not affected by treatment with Pronase or trypsin and was inhibited by low concentrations of phospholipids and high density lipoproteins (HDL). Heparin-Mn2+ treatment of HDL did not affect its ability to inhibit [125I] LDL binding. The LDL recognition site was distinct from the liver membrane asialoglycoprotein receptor; LDL binding was not inhibited by desialidated fetuin. We conclude that porcine liver contains a high affinity binding site that recognizes features common to both pig low density and high density lipoproteins. Further studies may elucidate the significance of this binding site in lipoprotein metabolism.     

Enhancement of 5'-nucleotidase activity of human leukemic cells after fractionation: implications for cancer and aging

Previous studies reported that 5'-nucleotidase activity was undetectable or at much lower levels in the homogenate of human chronic lymphocytic leukemic (CCL) cells than in normal lymphocytes. In the present study, 5'-nucleotidase specific activity in acute myelocytic leukemia (AML), which varied in a range from undetectable to 1.4 (nmoles/min.mg protein), was enhanced by cell fractionation, from undetectable in the homogenate, up to 18.8 +/- 1.2, 6.4 +/- 0.7 and 0.68 +/- 0.12 in plasma membranes, microsomes, and cytosol fraction, respectively. In a further fractionation of the cytosol of various leukemic cells with ammonium sulfate, 5'-nucleotidase specific activity increased up to 14-fold in the 60% (NH4)2SO4 fraction, with a recovery of 1266 +/- 115%. These data suggest that 5'-nucleotidase activity in fractionated leukemic cells is higher than reported previously and that the sum of 5'-nucleotidase activity in subcellular compartments is higher than that detected in the homogenate. Furthermore, even when 5'-nucleotidase was undetectable in a homogenate, it became detectable in the plasma membranes, suggesting that its ecto-enzyme function is still active in leukemic cells. The undetectable or low 5'-nucleotidase in the homogenate is indicative of (1) the enzyme itself being in an inactive form but becoming active after the fractionations, or (2) the presence of a factor(s) that prevents the enzyme from being detected but that is separated from the enzyme by the fractionations. In both cases, the rate of nucleotide catabolism by inactive 5'-nucleotidase in rapidly proliferating leukemic cells should be slower than when the enzyme is active. The present finding is consistent with our previous findings that during normal cell aging the high 5'-nucleotidase activity is associated with senescent non-proliferating cells but low or undetectable activity with rapidly proliferating immortal cells. The implications of 5'-nucleotidase for DNA synthesis in aging and cancer are discussed.     

Solubilization and purification of rat liver 5''-nucleotidase by use of a zwitterionic detergent and a monoclonal-antibody immunoadsorbent.

1. A variety of detergents were used to solubilize 5'-nucleotidase from rat liver plasma membranes. 2. The zwitterionic detergent Sulphobetaine 14 gave optimal solubilization by the criteria of release into a high-speed-centrifugation supernatant and the formation of the smallest and least polydisperse active enzyme observed on polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. 3. The Sulphobetaine 14-solubilized enzyme from rat liver was purified by using the conventional techniques of ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration, or by an immunoaffinity step with a monoclonal antibody immunoadsorbent. 4. 5'-Nucleotidase was purified at least 12 000-fold relative to liver homogenate by the immunoaffinity purification scheme and had a specific activity in the range 285-340 mumol/min per mg of protein. The yield was in the range 9-16%. 5. The purified enzyme shows a major polypeptide band of apparent Mr 70 000 on sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and a minor band of apparent Mr 38 000. 6. A rational approach to the general problem of the purification of minor intrinsic membrane proteins is discussed, with the use of polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis to determine the most appropriate detergent and monoclonal antibodies in subsequent immunoaffinity purification.     

The isolation and subfractionation of plasma membrane from the cellular slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum

A procedure for the isolation and separation of three different subfractions of plasma membrane from the cellular slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum is described. The cells were disrupted by freeze-thawing in liquid N(2) and plasma membranes were purified by equilibrium centrifugation in a sucrose gradient. The cell surface was labelled with radioactive iodide by using the lactoperoxidase iodination method. Alkaline phosphatase was identified as a plasma-membrane marker by its co-distribution with [(125)I]iodide. 5'-Nucleotidase, which has been widely described as a plasma-membrane marker enzyme in mammalian tissues, was not localized to any marked extent in D. discoideum plasma membrane. The isolated plasma membranes showed a 24-fold enrichment of alkaline phosphatase specific activity relative to the homogenate and a yield of 50% of the total plasma membranes. Determination of succinate dehydrogenase and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activities indicated that the preparation contained 2% of the total mitochondria and 3% of the endoplasmic reticulum. When the plasma-membrane preparation was further disrupted in a tight-fitting homogenizer, three plasma-membrane subfractions of different densities were obtained by isopycnic centrifugation. The enrichment of alkaline phosphatase was greatest in the subfraction with the lowest density. This fraction was enriched 36-fold relative to the homogenate and contained 19% of the total alkaline phosphatase activity but only 0.08% of the succinate dehydrogenase activity and 0.34% of the NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity. Electron microscopy of this fraction showed it to consist of smooth membrane vesicles with no recognizable contaminants.     

5'-Nucleotidase activity and adenosine production in rat liver mitochondria.

The controversial subject of mitochondrial 5'-nucleotidase in the liver was studied employing density gradient fractionation combined with a method for analyzing the distribution profiles of marker enzymes based on multiple regression analysis. Triton WR-1339 was used to improve the separation of mitochondria from lysosomes by the gradient centrifugation technique. Adenosine production was examined further using acetate to increase intramitochondrial AMP, and thus adenosine production, in incubations with gradient centrifugation-purified mitochondria. Distribution analysis of the crude homogenate showed that 5'-nucleotidase activity exists in the mitochondrial fraction. To increase the resolution of this approach with respect to mitochondria, a crude mitochondrial fraction was also studied. In this case the relative mitochondrial activity decreased but 5'-nucleotidase activity was still clearly detectable. The mitochondrial 5'-nucleotidase exhibited a Km of 94 microM and a Vmax of 31 nmol/min per mg protein for AMP. The kinetic data for the Mg2+, ATP, ADP and AOPCP sensitivity of the enzyme showed that it differs from the plasma membrane, lysosome and cytosol 5'-nucleotidases. AOPCP was only a moderate inhibitor, and ATP was a more potent inhibitor than ADP at a 1 mM concentration. The enzyme also showed a requirement of Mg2+. Acetate caused the conversion of intramitochondrial adenylates to AMP and the formation of adenosine. Adenosine concentration increased in the extramitochondrial space in a time-dependent manner, but only trace amounts of nucleotides were detected. The data show that 5'-nucleotidase activity producing adenosine exists in rat liver mitochondria and a concentration-dependent adenosine output from mitochondria by diffusion or facilitated diffusion is also suggested.     

THE ISOLATION OF LYSOSOMES FROM EHRLICH ASCITES TUMOR CELLS FOLLOWING PRETREATMENT OF MICE WITH TRITON WR-1339

A method is described for obtaining highly purified lysosomes from Ehrlich ascites tumo cells grown in mice injected with Triton WR-1339. The isolated particles show a high specific activity for aryl sulfatase, representing an 80–90-fold purification over the homogenate, and a 15–18% yield of the total enzyme activity. Mitochondrial and microsomal marker enzymes are present in negligible amounts (0.2% of the activity of the homogenate). The biochemical evidence for a rather high degree of homogeneity of the fraction is supported by the electron microscopic examination of the purified lysosomes. The intracellular localizations of N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, NADH-cytochrome c reductase and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase in Ehrlich ascites cells are also reported, the first two being present in highest concentration in the combined mitochondrial-lysosomal fraction and the third in the microsomal fraction.     

The Amyloid Precursor Protein Is Not Enriched in Caveolae-Like, Detergent-Insoluble Membrane Microdomains

Abstract: The amyloid precursor protein may be processed by several different pathways, one of which produces the amyloid β-peptide βA4 present in the amyloid plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. A recent report suggested that axonal-amyloid precursor protein is present in a membrane fraction "with caveolae-like properties." In the present study we have isolated detergent-insoluble, caveolae-like membranes from both mouse cerebellum and the human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y. Detergent-insoluble membranes from mouse cerebellum retained nearly all of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins—alkaline phosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase, and the F3 protein—while excluding the majority of the plasmalemmal marker protein alkaline phosphodiesterase I. Although the inositol trisphosphate receptor was highly enriched in this detergent-insoluble fraction, neither amyloid precursor protein nor clathrin immunoreactivity could be detected. Similar results were obtained with SH-SY5Y cells, where 5'-nucleotidase activity was enriched at least 30-fold in the detergent-insoluble membranes, but no amyloid precursor protein or clathrin immunoreactivity could be detected. Caveolin could not be detected in microsomal membranes from either mouse cerebellum or SH-SY5Y cells. These observations suggest that amyloid precursor protein is not normally present in detergent-insoluble, caveolae-like membrane microdomains.     

The NADP-dependent trifunctional methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase purified from mouse liver is immunologically distinct from the mouse NAD-dependent [corrected] bifunctional enzyme

Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase - methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase - formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase was purified to homogeneity from mouse liver, taking advantage of its very high affinity for 2',5'-ADP-Sepharose. Antibodies raised to this trifunctional enzyme and to the bifunctional NAD-dependent dehydrogenase-cyclohydrolase from mouse Ehrlich ascites tumour cells were found not to cross-react with the purified proteins on Western blots. Each of these polyclonal antibodies detects the appropriate protein in extracts of Ehrlich ascites tumour cells after sodium dodecyl sulfate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electrophoretic transfer of the proteins to nitrocellulose. The procedure has also been used to obtain a purified preparation of the trifunctional enzyme from human liver obtained at autopsy.     

Comparison of bone and osteosarcoma adenylate cyclase. Partial purification of membranes and kinetic properties of enzyme.

The purpose of this study was to compare the adenylate cyclase of a tumour (rat osteosarcoma) growing in vivo with that of fast-growing embryonic bone. In the tumour the enzyme activity per total protein or DNA (under the same assay conditions) was 6--10-fold lower than in embryonic bone. To characterize this difference, we examined the kinetic properties of the enzyme in partially purified plasma membranes from the two tissues. A purification procedure based on differential centrifugation and discontinuous-sucrose-gradient centrifugation yielded a 10-fold increase in the specific activities of adenylate cyclase and 5'-nucleotidase in bone. The same procedure yielded an enriched membrane preparation from the tumour, but, relative to 5'-nucleotidase, a loss of 30% in adenylate cyclase occurred, which could not be recovered from another fraction. Kinetic analysis revealed that the lower adenylate cyclase activity in the tumour was due to a decrease in Vmax.. There was no significant difference in Ks (approx. 0.15 mM), and in the Km for GTP and p[NH]ppG. There were marked differences, however, in the extent of stimulation by p[NH]ppG, GTP and hormone, which was greater in tumour, and in the K1 for adenosine inhibition, which was 140 microM in bone and 500 microM in tumour. Under maximum stimulatory conditions, the enzyme activity in the tumour approached that in bone. The kinetic differences between bone and tumour enzyme were decreased by detergent solubilization, suggesting that the membrane environment plays a role in the generation of the observed differences.