Abstract: | 1. Intracellular distribution of three types of beta-galactosidases (beta-D-galactoside galactohydrolase EC 3.2.1.12) i.e. hetero beta-galactosidase, lactase and acid beta-galactosidase, was studied by examining the properties of subcellular fractions isolated by a systematic fractionation of mucosal cells of the small intestine of the hog. Localization of hetero beta-galactosidase in cytosol could be shown. 2. Localization of lactase in the brush borders was shown by analyzing the purified brush borders prepared separately. 3. To domonstrate the lysosomal localization of acid belta-galactosidase, lysosomes were purified separately and their extract was chromatographed on a hydroxylapatite column. The activities of various enzymes in the purified lysosomes as well as in the intermediary fractions obtained during lysosome purification and the pattern of the hydroxylapatite chromatography led us to conclude that acid beta-galactosidase is a lysosomal enzyme. |