Isoenzyme pattern and partial characterization of hexosaminidases in the membrane and cytosol of human erythrocytes.
OBJECTIVE
Hexosaminidase activity is present in lysosomes, plasma membrane and cytosol of many human cells. Plasma membrane and cytosolic hexosaminidase is not well characterized, particularly as regards their isoenzyme forms and their relationship with the lysosomal ones.


METHODS
Erythrocyte hexosaminidase isoforms were chromatographically separated, characterized and compared to those in the plasma of healthy individuals and in the erythrocytes of a Tay-Sachs patient.


RESULTS
Hexosaminidase isoenzymes were found in plasma membrane and cytosol and were composed of the same alpha- and beta-subunits as the lysosomal and plasma hexosaminidase A and B isoenzymes, though with some structural and kinetic differences. In addition, the cytosol contained a hexosaminidase that is a specific N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, the one involved in the removal of N-acetylglucosamine residues O-linked to proteins, named O-GlcNAcase.


CONCLUSIONS
This work provides an additional step in the characterization of hexosaminidases helping better understand their role in non-lysosomal compartments and their involvement in physiological or pathological situations.
Massaccesi
Luca
L
Department of Medical Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Milan, School of Medicine, Via Saldini, 50-20133 Milan, Italy.
Lombardo
Adriana
A
Venerando
Bruno
B
Tettamanti
Guido
G
Goi
Giancarlo
G
D000328:Adult; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D003600:Cytosol / Q000201:enzymology*; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000201:enzymology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D054818:Hexosaminidase A; D006596:Hexosaminidases / Q000097:blood / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000097:blood / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013661:Tay-Sachs Disease / Q000201:enzymology; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases / Q000097:blood / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism
D007527:Isoenzymes; D006596:Hexosaminidases; D054818:Hexosaminidase A; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases