A histochemical study about changes in rat liver plasma membrane enzyme activities after galactosamine administration.

In rats changes in plasma membrane enzyme activities due to Gal-N intoxication were studied by enzymehistochemical methods. The bile canalicular 5'-nucleotidase and nucleoside polyphosphatase activities decreased; the sinusoidal 5'-nucleotidase remained unchanged. The bile canalicular leucyl-beta-naphthyl-amidase showed an increase in activity; the alkaline phosphatase activity remained unchanged. In contrast to the spotty necrosis, changes in plasma membrane enzyme activities were seen in all liver cells, suggesting that changes of these activities, occurring after Gal-N treatment, do not correlate with cell death. The conclusion was drawn that the deviations of the enzyme activities might be due to changes in the lipid environment of the enzyme proteins in the membrane. With the exception of alkaline phosphatase, partial hepatectomy caused the same changes in enzyme activities as did Gal-N intoxication. Nevertheless Gal-N administration to partial hepatectomized rats did not lead to hepatic necrosis. Galactose given simultaneously or within two hours after Gal-N prevented both changes in plasma membrane enzyme activities and hepatocellular damage. This suggests an important role of galactolipids and galactoproteins in the plasma membrane alterations.     

Alkaline inorganic pyrophosphatase activity of mammalian-cell alkaline phosphatase

Alkaline phosphatase prepared from mammalian cell cultures was found to have alkaline inorganic pyrophosphatase activity. Both of these activities appear to be associated with a single protein, as demonstrated by: (1) concomitant purification of alkaline phosphatase and alkaline inorganic pyrophosphatase; (2) proportional precipitation of alkaline phosphatase and inorganic pyrophosphatase activities by titrating constant amounts of an enzyme preparation with increasing concentration of antibody; (3) immune electrophoresis, which showed that precipitin bands that have alkaline phosphatase activity also have pyrophosphatase activity; (4) inhibition of pyrophosphatase activity by cysteine, an inhibitor of alkaline phosphatase activity; (5) similar subcellular localization of the two enzyme activities as demonstrated by histochemical methods; (6) hormonal and substrate induction of alkaline phosphatase activity in mammalian cell cultures, which produced a nearly parallel rise in inorganic pyrophosphatase activity.     

A histochemical study about the influence of lytic enzymes on plasma membrane enzyme activities in rat liver and kidney.

1. The effect of lipolytic, glycolytic and proteolytic enzymes on the activities of plasma membrane enzyme activities in rat liver and kidney has been investigated by a pretreatment of tissue sections with the lytic enzymes. 2. The action of the proteolytic enzymes causes a very strong decrease of leucyl-beta-naphthylamidase activity, whereas the activities of ATP-ase, 5'-nucleotidase and alkaline phosphatase show a lesser decrease. This indicates a different membrane anchorage of leucyl-beta-naphthylamidase as compared to that of the phosphatases. 3. Treatment with glycolytic enzymes results in a decrease of 5'-nucleotidase and ATP-ase activity, whereas liver alkaline phosphatase and leucyl-beta-naphthylamidase show an increase in activity. 4. Treatment with phospholipase C gives about the same results. The very strong decrease of 5'-nucleotidase activity indicates a great dependence on phospholipids.     

Alterations in hepatic 5'-nucleotidase in the tumor-bearing rat

The effect of the growth of the Walker 256 carcinoma on the level of 5'-nucleotidase and alkaline phosphatase in the whole liver and in an isolated hepatocyte membrane preparation of its host was investigated. Alkaline phosphatase activities of whole liver and plasma membrane were increased approximately 5-fold by tumor growth. A 50% decrease in whole liver 5'-nucleotidase activity was observed in tumor-bearing rats while the 5'-nucleotidase activity per milligram membrane protein was unaltered. Tumor growth would therefore appear to affect a pool of 5'-nucleotidase which is not associated with the plasma membrane.     

Cellular Location of Degradative Enzymes in Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococus aureus, ATCC 6538P, was fractionated into protoplast membranes, mesosomal vesicles, periplasm, and cytoplasm. These fractions and the culture fluid were then assayed for various degradative enzyme activities. They were not restricted to a single fraction nor dispersed homogeneously, but were distributed predominantly (on the basis of specific activity) as follows: nuclease in the culture fluid; alkaline phosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase, and acid phosphatase in the periplasm; adenosine triphosphatase in the protoplast membrane; and protease (low levels) in mesosomal vesicles. No significant esterase nor cell wall hydrolytic activity was found in any fraction. S. aureus 80/81 was studied for penicillinase activity after induction with benzyl penicillin; this enzyme was localized in the mesosomal vesicles. Electron microscopy did not reveal any ultrastructural changes associated with secretion of the extracellular fraction. Overall, these studies demonstrate that degradative enzymes are located in several surface compartments and that, therefore, the mesosome does not function as a prototype lysosome in S. aureus.     

Isolation and characterization of the plasma membrane of L-1210 cells. Iodination as a marker for the plasma membrane.

Mouse leukemia L-1210 cells were iodinated with 125I; this permitted the development of a method for the isolation of the plasma membranes. These show a 10- to 16-fold increase in the specific activity of 125I over that of the cell homogenate and a 20-fold increase in the specific activities of 5'-nucleotidase and alkaline phosphatase; 20-fold increase in the specific activities of 5'-nucleotidase and alkaline phosphatase; no mitochondrial or microsomal marker enzyme activities were detected. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis of the plasma membranes shows approx. 40 peptides with molecular weights ranging from 10 000 to over 200 000; a polypeptide (Mr 50 000) predominates. Of 13 iodinated surface membrane proteins, the major radioactive peptide has a molecular weight of 85 000. The importance of the selection of the appropriate gel system for the analysis of membrane proteins is emphasized.     

Regional and Subcellular Distribution in Mammalian Brain of the Enzymes Producing Adenosine

The activities of 5'-nucleotidase, 2'-nucleotidase, alkaline phosphatase, and acid phosphatase were measured in rat and autopsied human brains. The four phosphatases in the rat brain showed little change in activity after death. The activities of adenosine-producing enzymes were compared in various parts of rat and human brains. When phosphatase activity was measured at pH 7.5, 5'-nucleotidase showed the highest activity in the most parts of the brain. The activity of 2'-nucleotidase and that of nonspecific phosphatase were almost the same at pH 7.5. However, higher phosphatase activity was observed in all parts of the brain when nonspecific phosphatase activity was measured at pH 10.0 or 5.5. High specific activity of 5'-nucleotidase in the brain was detected in the membranous components, especially in the synaptic membranes. The activity of 2'-nucleotidase was distributed in the soluble and synaptosomal fractions. The highest activity of both alkaline and acid phosphatases was recovered in the crude mitochondrial fraction, with the highest specific activity in the microsomal fraction. Phosphatase activity was distributed widely in the rat brain. The activity of 5'-nucleotidase was high in the medulla oblongata, thalamus, and hippocampus, but low in the peripheral nerve, spinal cord, and occipital lobe. The activity of 2'-nucleotidase was high in the vermis and frontal lobe. The highest acid and alkaline phosphatase activities were detected in the frontal lobe and in the olfactory bulb, respectively. The distribution of the four phosphatases in the autopsied human brain was similar to that in the rat brain. The highest 5'-nucleotidase activity was observed in the temporal lobe and thalamus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

5'-Nucleotidase of human placental trophoblastic microvilli possesses cobalt-stimulated FAD pyrophosphatase activity

An enzyme with FAD pyrophosphatase activity was extracted from human placental syncytiotrophoblast microvilli and purified to near-homogeneity. The enzyme has been identified as 5'-nucleotidase by several criteria. Throughout purification, parallel increases in the specific activities of FAD pyrophosphatase and AMP phosphatase were observed. The enzyme was a glycoprotein with a subunit molecular weight of 74,000. EDTA treatment resulted in a marked decline in both activities, and restoration of FAD pyrophosphatase activity but not 5'-nucleotidase activity was accomplished by the addition of Co2+ or, to a lesser extent, Mn2+. The substrate specificity of the 5'-nucleotidase activity that we observed agreed closely with the results of others. The pyrophosphatase activity was relatively specific for FAD. ADP, ATP, NAD(H), and FMN were not hydrolyzed, and ADP strongly inhibited both activities. For FAD pyrophosphatase activity, a Km of 1.2 x 10(-5) M and a Vmax of 1.1 mumol/min/mg protein were determined in assays performed in the presence of Co2+. In the absence of added Co2+, the Vmax declined but the Km was unchanged. For 5'-nucleotidase (AMP as substrate) the Km was 4.1 x 10(-5) M and the Vmax 109 mumol/min/mg protein. Hydrolysis of FMN to riboflavin was observed in partially purified detergent extracts of microvilli that contained alkaline phosphatase activity and lacked FAD pyrophosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase activity. The presence of both FAD pyrophosphatase and FMN phosphatase activities in syncytiotrophoblast microvilli supports the view that the placental uptake of vitamin B2 involves the hydrolysis of FAD and FMN to riboflavin which is then absorbed, a sequence postulated for intestinal absorption and liver uptake.     

The serum activity of glucose-6phosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase during human pregnancy.

An attempt has been made to show that the increase in enzyme activities in sera of pregnant women found with glucose-6-phosphate and adenosine 5'-monophosphate as substrates (described as glucose-6-phosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase) was due to the increase in alkaline phosphatase. The three enzyme activities has pH optima and heat stability characteristics of alkaline phosphatase. The response to the action of inhibitors and activators was typical for alkaline phosphatase. There was an identical increase in all three enzyme activities during pregnancy. As a control similar investigations were made with liver and placental tissue extracts.     

Effects of bile salts on the plasma membranes of isolated rat hepatocytes.

The conjugated trihydroxy bile salts glycocholate and taurocholate removed approx. 20--30% of the plasma-membrane enzymes 5'-nucleotidase, alkaline phosphatase and alkaline phosphodiesterase I from isolated hepatocytes before the onset of lysis, as judged by release of the cytosolic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase. The conjugated dihydroxy bile salt glycodeoxycholate similarly removed 10--20% of the 5'-nucleotidase and alkaline phosphatase activities, but not alkaline phosphodiesterase activity; this bile salt caused lysis of hepatocytes at approx. 10-fold lower concentrations (1.5--2.0mM) than either glycocholate or taurocholate (12--16mM). At low concentrations (7 mM), glycocholate released these enzymes in a predominantly particulate form, whereas at higher concentrations (15 mM) glycocholate further released these components in a predominantly 'soluble' form. Inclusion of 1% (w/v) bovine serum albumin in the incubations had a small protective effect on the release of enzymes from hepatocytes by glycodeoxycholate, but not by glycocholate. These observations are discussed in relation to the possible role of bile salts in the origin of some biliary proteins.     

Differential theophylline inhibition of alkaline phosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase of bovine milk fat globule membranes

1. The effects of theophylline (1,3-dimethylxanthine) on alkaline phosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase activities of bovine milk fat globule membranes (MFGM) were examined. 2. Theophylline inhibited MFGM alkaline phosphatase in a concentration-dependent manner with 50% inhibition produced by 99 +/- 28 microM theophylline. 3. The 5'-nucleotidase activity was resistant to theophylline inhibition with 50% inhibition produced by 33.9 +/- 3.1 mM theophylline. 4. Theophylline was an uncompetitive inhibitor of MFGM alkaline phosphatase with a Ki of 126 +/- 15 microM. 5. The extent of theophylline inhibition of alkaline phosphatase activity was independent of the substrate utilized in the assay. 6. The effect of theophylline on bovine MFGM alkaline phosphatase was similar to theophylline effects on other mammalian alkaline phosphatases of liver/bone isoenzyme origin.     

Effect of calcium concentration on survival, proliferation and activities of alkaline phosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase, gamma-glutamyltransferase and lactate dehydrogenase of adult rat hepatocytes cultured in serum-free medium.

Mature rat hepatocytes were cultured on collagen coated dishes in serum-free alpha-modified Eagle's minimum essential medium containing 0.1 microM insulin, 0.1 microM dexamethasone, 10 mM pyruvate and Ca2+ at concentrations of 0-2 mM. Survival of nondivided cells was best in medium containing 2 mM Ca2+. Proliferation during 5-day culture was greatest with 0.4 mM Ca2+, but DNA synthesis was scarcely affected by the concentration of Ca2+. Both the activities of alkaline phosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase, gamma-glutamyltransferase and lactate dehydrogenase and the number of cell nuclei of cultures in 0.1 mM and 2 mM Ca2+ media were assayed over a 5-day period, and their activities were calculated as enzyme activities per unit number of cell nuclei. Alkaline phosphatase activity increased rapidly during the first day of culture in both media, and its activity in 0.1 mM medium was higher than that in 2 mM medium after culture for 3 days. The activity of 5'-nucleotidase became higher in 0.1 mM medium than in 2 mM medium from day 2 and was maximal on day 3 in both media. gamma-Glutamyltransferase activity increased and lactate dehydrogenase activity decreased with time in culture, both activities showing no appreciable difference in the two media.     

Ultrastructural cytochemistry of membrane-bound phosphatases in preimplantation mouse embryos.

The time of appearance and the ultrastructural localization of the enzyme activity of alkaline phosphatase (AlkPase), 5′-nucleotidase (5′Nuc), Mg²⁺-ATPase, transport ATPase, cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (cAMP-PDase), and adenylate cyclase (AC) were investigated in unfertilized eggs and in mouse preimplantation embryos. Enzyme activity was associated only with the plasma membrane. AlkPase activity appeared only in limited areas of the plasma membrane of one-cell embryos and increased in the eight-cell and morula stages. In blastocysts, the enzyme activity was concentrated mainly in the trophoblast cells. 5′Nuc activity appeared first in four- or eight-cell embryos and the highest activity was observed in trophoblast cells in the blastocyst and in plasma membrane between cells forming inner cell mass. Mg²⁺-activated ATPase activity was present in all embryos and in unfertilized egg plasma membrane. Transport (Na⁺K⁺)-ATPase appeared only in the closely apposed membranes of adjacent cells in morulae and blastocysts. A very low cAMP-PDase activity appeared between adjacent cells in two-cell embryos, and the highest activity was observed on the outer surface of the plasma membrane of trophoblasts. AC was the only enzyme whose activity was located on the inner (cytoplasmic) side of the plasma membrane and appeared as early as the one-cell stage embryo. The relation between the time of the appearance of enzyme activity and the preparation of embryos for implantation and upon embryonic proliferative activity is discussed.     

Mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 "cryptic," or deficient in 5'-nucleotidase (uridine diphosphate-sugar hydrolase) and 3'-nucleotidase (cyclic phosphodiesterase) activity

Mutants of Escherichia coli have been selected for the absence of 5'-nucleotidase (uridine diphosphate-sugar hydrolase) and 3'-nucleotidase (2',3'-cyclic phophodiesterase). Mutants selected for the absence of 5'-nucleotidase are of two kinds: those that lack detectable activity for the enzyme (Ush(-)), and those that possess activity when cell extracts are assayed, but not when intact cells are assayed (cryptic; Crp(-)). The latter class is probably identical to a type of mutant previously reported by Ward and Glaser. When mutants are selected for the absence of 3'-nucleotidase, Crp(-)mutants are also obtained. Thus far, however, mutants totally lacking this enzyme have not been found. The location on the genetic map of one ush mutation is at position 11 min and that of one crp mutation at approximately 67 min. In the crp mutant, 5'-nucleotidase and 3'-nucleotidase remain located in the periplasm. This mutant is also cryptic for alkaline phosphatase but not for acid hexose phosphatase. Treatment of cells with ethylenediamine-tetraacetate substantially alleviated crypticity. These data are discussed in terms of the organization of periplasmic enzymes and of the outer membrane as a permeability barrier.     

Alkaline phosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase in early osteogenesis in man

By means of histochemical techniques at light and electron microscopic levels, as well as immunomorphological, biochemical and immunochemical methods localization and dynamics of alkaline phosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase contents have been determined in anlages of long tubular bones in 85 human embryos and prefetuses from the 6th up to 12th week of the intrauterine development, obtained as a result of artificial abortions in healthy women. The greatest activity of the enzymes studied is revealed in areas of an intensive osteogenesis and mineralization. Also, by means of the immunofluorescent method alkaline phosphatase of a placental type is revealed, that is not revealed, however, immunochemically. With increasing time of the intrauterine development, thermostability of alkaline phosphatase increases.     

Properties of a series of tegumental membrane-bound phosphohydrolase activities of Schistosoma mansoni.

1. Incubation of Schistosoma mansoni for 5 min in a phosphate-buffered medium, pH 7.4, released tegumental material containing the following phosphohydrolase activities: alkaline phosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase, glycerol-2-phosphatase, glucose 6-phosphatase, phosphodiesterase and ATPase. 2. Maximum activity of these enzymes was measured at pH 9.5; however, the phosphodiesterase and ATPase activities were also appreciable at pH 7.0. 3. Solubilization of the released tegumental material in 1% Triton X-100 followed by gel filtration distinguished three peaks of enzyme activity: an ATPase (mol.wt. greater than 1000 000), a phosphodiesterase (mol.wt. 1 000 000) and an alkaline phosphomonoesterase with broad specificity (mol.wt. 232 000). 4. The ATPase activity was highly activated by 10 mM-Mg2+ or 1 mM-Ca2+ and was inhibited by chelating agents. Ouabain, Na+ and K+ had little effect on enzyme activity, whereas activity was increased by 50% in the presence of calmodulin. The phosphodiesterase activity was highest in the presence of 100 mM-Na+ or -K+, and 10 mM-Mg2+ or -Ca2+. Alkaline phosphatase activity was also stimulated by 100 mM-Na+ or -K+, and 10 mM-Mg2+; however Ca2+ inhibited at greater than 1 mM. 5. Surface iodination of parasites followed by detergent solubilization and gel filtration of the released tegumental membranes indicated that these enzymes were not accessible. A major surface component, apparent mol.wt. 80 000, was iodinated. 6. Rabbit anti-(mouse liver 5'-nucleotidase) antibodies did not inhibit the phosphohydrolase activities. However, an immunoglobulin G fraction from sera of mice chronically infected with S. mansoni partially inhibited alkaline phosphatase activity, but was without effect on the phosphodiesterase and ATPase activities. 7. The location of the enzymes in the double membrane of the tegument and their significance in host-parasite interactions is discussed.     

The presence and activity in normal and regenerating rat liver postmicrosomal supernatant fraction of an enzyme with properties similar to those of membrane-bound 5''-nucleotidase.

An alkaline 5'-nucleotidase with properties similar to those of membrane-bound 5'-nucleotidase was recovered in soluble form in the postmicrosomal supernatant fraction (cytosol) of rat liver. The enzyme seems to constitute a quantitatively distinct fraction, since the activity in postmicrosomal supernatants was increased by a further 10% by additional homogenization of livers. Lysosomal acid phosphatase activity increased similarly, whereas other membrane-bound marker enzymes alkaline phosphatase, phosphodiesterase I and glucose-6-phosphatase showed no increase when homogenization of liver tissue was continued. Gel-permeation chromatography and pH-dependence studies indicated that enzyme activity in the supernatant fraction with 0.3 mM-UMP or -AMP as substrate at pH 8.1 was about 85 or 100% specific respectively. In regenerating liver the enzyme recovered in soluble form showed decreased specific activity, in contrast with alkaline phosphatase measured for comparison. The nucleotidase activity per mg of cytosolic protein was 2.1 nmol/min with AMP as substrate. The total activity measured in the postmicrosomal supernatant was 1.5% of the homogenate activity measured in the presence of detergent.     

Enzyme-histochemical identification of lymphatic vessels by light and backscattered image scanning electron microscopy

The walls of lymphatics are characterized by strong 5'-nucleotidase activity, whereas those of blood capillaries reveal significantly lower or no activity. Alkaline phosphatase activity, on the other hand, is markedly higher in blood capillaries than in lymphatic vessels. On the basis of such characteristics, lymphatics and blood capillaries were distinguished histochemically in rat stomach using 5'-nucleotidase-alkaline phosphatase double staining. The distribution and intensity of lead-demonstrated 5'-nucleotidase activity in lymphatic vessels could be determined by comparing the images of the same histochemically stained cryostat section as seen by light and backscattered image scanning electron microscopy. The specificity of the 5'-nucleotidase reaction was obtained by inhibiting nonspecific alkaline phosphatase by including L-tetramisole in the 5'-nucleotidase incubation medium. The products of the 5'-nucleotidase activity were deposited on the outer surface of the plasma membrane of the lymphatic endothelial cells.     

Enzyme-Histochemical Identification of Lymphatic Vessels by Light and Backscattered Image Scanning Electron Microscopy

The walls of lymphatics are characterized by strong 5'-nucleotidase activity, whereas those of blood capillaries reveal significantly lower or no activity. Alkaline phosphatase activity, on the other hand, is markedly higher in blood capillaries than in lymphatic vessels. On the basis of such characteristics, lymphatics and blood capillaries were distinguished histochemically in rat stomach using 5'-nucleotidase-alkaline phosphatase double staining. The distribution and intensity of lead-demonstrated 5'-nucleotidase activity in lymphatic vessels could be determined by comparing the images of the same histochemically stained cryostat section as seen by light and backscattered image scanning electron microscopy. The specificity of the 5'-nucleotidase reaction was obtained by inhibiting nonspecific alkaline phosphatase by including L-tetramisole in the 5'-nucleotidase incubation medium. The products of the 5'-nucleotidase activity were deposited on the outer surface of the plasma membrane of the lymphatic endothelial cells.     

Reduction of 5'-nucleotidase activity in rat thyroid and adenohypophysis following methylthiouracil treatment.

5' -Nucleotidase activity was determined in rat thyroid and some other organs employing a specific assay method. During the course of methylthiouracil (MTU) treatment, thyroid 5'-nucleotidase activity decreased significantly. This decrease was specific for this enzyme since the activity of neutral phosphatase did not change and the activity of alkaline phosphatase and Mg2+-activated adenosine triphosphatase increased markedly. The 5'-nucleotidase activity of the adenohypophysis also decreased following MTU treatment. This enzyme activity of the liver, heart and whole brain remained unchanged after the treatment. The role of this enzyme was discussed in relation to tissue growth and increased contents of RNA and DNA in the thyroid and adenohypophysis.