title: Characteristics of sialidase in the rat salivary glands.
abstract: Using 4-methylumbelliferyl-N-acetylneuraminic acid (4MU-NeuAc) as substrate, we measured sialidase activity in the salivary glands and other organs of the rat. The pH optima of salivary gland sialidase were between 4.0 and 4.5, which were similar to those of the enzyme in the brain, liver and kidney. Among the salivary glands, the submandibular one showed the highest sialidase activity followed by the parotid and the sublingual glands. However, sialidase activity in these glands was lower when compared with the activity in the brain, liver and kidney. From the subcellular distribution study, salivary gland sialidase was found to be mainly localized in the lysosomes. The pH optima of the lysosomal sialidase of the salivary glands were between 4.0 and 4.5; and Km values for 4MU-NeuAc approximately 0.09 mmol/l. In the submandibular and parotid glands, a soluble sialidase with a different pH optimum (5.5) and Km value (0.25 mmol/l) was also detected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Pharmacology, Josai Dental University, Saitama, Japan.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hiramatsu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kashimata
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murayama
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Minami
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Minami
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007668:Kidney / Q000201:enzymology; D007700:Kinetics; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000201:enzymology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000201:enzymology*; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000201:enzymology; D013361:Sublingual Gland / Q000201:enzymology; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D009439:Neuraminidase