title: Cholesterol ester hydrolase in human red blood cells.
abstract: 1. Cholesterol ester hydrolytic activity (sterol-ester hydrolase EC 3.1.1.13) was detected in human red blood cells. Enzyme activity appeared confined to the cell membrane and was most marked in washed preparations of red cell ghosts. 2. Hydrolytic activity was stimulated by the anti-oxidants D-alpha-tocopherol and butylated hydroxytoluene. Marked inhibition was produced by erythrocyte hemolysate, sodium taurocholate, and Triton X-100. 3. Optimal pH for the reaction was 5.4--5.7. 4. Because red cell cholesterol is all unesterified, it is speculated that the hydrolase serves to maintain the erythrocyte membrane free of esterified cholesterol.
mesh_terms: D002084:Butylated Hydroxytoluene / Q000494:pharmacology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000201:enzymology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D004950:Esterases / Q000097:blood*; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology; D002787:Sterol Esterase / Q000097:blood*; D013656:Taurocholic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D014810:Vitamin E; D002084:Butylated Hydroxytoluene; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D013656:Taurocholic Acid; D004950:Esterases; D002787:Sterol Esterase