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Transmembrane modulation of the concanavalin A inhibition of 5'-nucleotidase is not due to a direct association of the enzyme with the cytoskeleton.

The inhibition of the cell surface enzyme 5'-nucleotidase by concanavalin A is being studied as a model for understanding transmembrane modulation of cell surface functions. Nucleotidase of 13762 MAT-C1 ascites rat mammary adenocarcinoma cells is inhibited by concanavalin A in a noncooperative process. When cells are treated with the cytoplasmic effectors cytochalasins, colchicine, energy poisons, calcium plus ionophore or hypotonic buffers, the concanavalin A inhibition of the enzyme becomes cooperative. 5'-Nucleotidase of isolated MAT-C1 microvilli is also inhibited by concanavalin A in a noncooperative process; however, treatment of the microvilli with the same cytoplasmic effectors does not induce cooperativity. Since previous studies in several systems have suggested an association of nucleotidase with actin-containing microfilaments or the cell cytoskeleton, one explanation for the cooperativity changes is that they result from a change in the association of the enzyme with the cytoskeleton. However, Triton X-100 extractability of nucleotidase is the same for MAT-C1 cells exhibiting cooperative or noncooperative concanavalin A inhibition. Moreover, enzyme from cells exhibiting cooperative inhibition can be extracted into the zwitterionic detergent Zwittergent in a cooperative form, while enzyme exhibiting noncooperative behavior can be extracted into Zwittergent in a noncooperative form. Gel filtration and rate-zonal sucrose density gradient centrifugation showed little discernible size or sedimentation difference between enzyme samples exhibiting noncooperative and cooperative inhibition. These results indicate that changes in the cooperativity of the concanavalin A inhibition of nucleotidase are not a result of changes in the association of the enzyme with the cytoskeleton. These studies emphasize the caution which must be exercised in interpreting the effects of cytoskeletal perturbants on cell surface functions.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

The synthesis and turnover of 5'-nucleotidase in primary cultured hepatocytes.

The synthesis and degradation of 5'-nucleotidase has been studied in rat hepatocytes. Primary cultures of rat hepatocytes were established with the cells showing evidence of polarity after 24-36 h in culture. After a 30 h lag period 5'-nucleotidase activity increased to a plateau level similar to the activity found in whole liver. The half life of the enzyme after reaching the plateau of activity was 22.8 h. Pulse-chase biosynthetic labelling studies of 5'-nucleotidase in the cultured hepatocytes using [35S]methionine showed that the 5'-nucleotidase monomer was synthesised as an Mr 67,000 form which was converted to the mature Mr 72,000 form. [35S]Methionine labelling studies in the presence of tunicamycin showed that the unglycosylated protein monomer was an Mr 57,000 form. The immature Mr 67,000 form of 5'-nucleotidase was sensitive to endoglycosidase H, whereas the mature form was sensitive only to endoglycosidase F. The data presented are consistent with 5'-nucleotidase in a polarised cell being synthesised and processed like other membrane glycoproteins, in contrast to earlier reports.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Purification of 5'-nucleotidase from human seminal plasma.

5'-Nucleotidase from human seminal plasma was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity and some of its kinetic and molecular properties compared with those of 5'-nucleotidase from bull seminal plasma. The purification of the enzyme was achieved by using the same affinity chromatography media (Con A-Sepharose and AMP-Agarose or ADP-Agarose) previously used for the purification of bull seminal plasma 5'-nucleotidase (Fini, C., Ipata, P.L., Palmerini, C.A. and Floridi, A. (1983) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 748, 405-412). However, in the present purification procedure no detergent was used as it had been necessary for the purification of the bovine enzyme. The experimental data reveal some main differences between these two enzymes; first, the human enzyme seems to be constituted of a single polypeptide chain of about 71 kDa, while the 5'-nucleotidase of bull seminal plasma, in non denaturing detergent solutions, is a homodimer of about 160 kDa. Another most remarkable difference is that the human enzyme does not seem to contain a phosphatidylinositol anchoring system like the one present in the bovine enzyme and in 5'-nucleotidase of different sources (Low, M.G. (1987) Biochem. J. 244, 1-13). Finally, the AMPase activity of 5'-nucleotidase from human seminal plasma is not affected by dithiothreitol which, on the contrary, is a powerful inhibitor of the bovine enzyme causing the dissociation of its subunits which are held together by disulphide bridges (Fini, C., Minelli, A., Camici, M. and Floridi, A. (1985) Biochem. Biophys. Acta 827, 403-409).

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Human placental 5'-nucleotidase: purification and properties.

Subcellular fractionation of human term placenta showed that the highest relative specific activity of 5'-nucleotidase and alkaline phosphatase resided in the microsomal fraction; of the total 5'-nucleotidase activity present, 7 per cent was in the cytosol. 5'-Nucleotidase was reproducibly purified over 500-fold in 17 per cent yield from the insoluble component of homogenates of term placenta to give a single major glycoprotein with two minor inactive protein contaminants. Purified placental 5'-nucleotidase was free from non-specific or alkaline phosphatase, hydrolysed 12 to 22 mumol AMP/min/mg of protein at 30 degrees C, and was activated up to fivefold by Triton X-100. AMP, Km 5 to 7 microM, was the preferred substrate. The Arrhenius plot was biphasic, with activation energies of 21.7 and 49.7 kJ/mol above and below 36 degrees C, the region of the transition temperature. Nucleoside di- and triphosphates inhibited competitively; the most potent inhibitors were ADP and adenosine 5'-methylenediphosphonate, Ki slope 90 nm and 6 nm, respectively. Lectins inhibited the enzyme; concanavalin A caused time-dependent inactivation reversible by alpha-methyl-D-mannoside. EDTA inactivated the enzyme; partial reactivation was achieved with divalent cations. The pH optimum was 7.2 to 7.3; Mg2+ produced a second alkaline pH optimum. The properties of placental 5'-nucleotidase are those of an intrinsic membrane protein and, in general, resemble properties of the several 'ecto'-5'-nucleotidases which have been purified from other tissues, although certain differences in kinetic properties of the placental enzyme are apparent.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Macrophages selectively stimulate ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity of cultured mesangial cells.

Because rat peritoneal macrophages exhibit a particular binding capacity to rat glomerular mesangial cells in vitro, we have studied the effect of macrophages on two plasma membrane enzymes, ecto-5'-nucleotidase and ecto-Mg2+ ATPase, or rat cultured mesangial cells. A marked increase of ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity was observed in cocultures of rat mesangial cells and peritoneal macrophages. In addition, macrophage-conditioned medium (MCM) produced a dose-dependent increase of mesangial cell ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity. In contrast, ecto-Mg2+ ATPase activity was unaffected. The effect of MCM on ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity was apparent after 24 hours and increased with time. Reversion was obtained by MCM withdrawal. Stimulation of ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity by MCM was inhibited by cycloheximide, which suggests that protein synthesis was required. Induction of enzyme activity by MCM depended in part on the presence of extracellular adenosine. The macrophage-released factor responsible for this effect was non-dialysable, heat-stable at 56 degrees C for 30 minutes but heat-inactivated at 100 degrees C for five minutes, inactivated in the presence of trypsin or protease V8, and adsorbed on charcoal. Its apparent molecular weight estimated by gel chromatography was close to 20 kD. MCM from resident macrophages was as potent as MCM from thioglycollate-elicited or zymosan-stimulated macrophages. This stimulatory effect was specific of macrophages since it was absent in the culture medium of rat fibroblasts or mouse thymocytes but present in that of mouse macrophages. These results suggest that peritoneal macrophages synthesize a factor which selectively stimulates ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity of glomerular mesangial cells.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Structural differences between plasma-membrane 5'-nucleotidase in different cell types as evidenced by antibodies.

Antibodies raised against bovine 5'-nucleotidase inhibit this enzyme as well as 5'-nucleotidase from other bovine tissues, showing common structure(s) between these proteins. However, an IgG fraction directed against the glucidic moiety of the liver enzyme did not cross-react with the enzyme from lymphocyte or caudate nuclei, a clear indication that within the same species the 5'-nucleotidase differs from one cell type to another. In addition, immunoblots after electrophoresis show that the previous antibodies recognize 5'-nucleotidase from human, mouse or chicken origin. However, only human 5'-nucleotidase activity can be inhibited by the antibodies. Thus at least three groups of antigenic determinants must exist on the 5'-nucleotidase: one related to the glucidic moiety of the glycoprotein whose binding inhibits the enzyme activity, another related to the catalytic site, as its binding also led to enzyme inhibition, and a last one of structural nature. It seems that the third group of determinant is common to many species, whereas the second one is more restricted.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

5'-Nucleotidase activity and adenosine formation in stimulated, hypoxic and underperfused rat heart.

Changes in 5'-nucleotidase activity were calculated on the basis of alterations in ATP, ADP, phosphocreatine, Pi, Mg2+, IMP and AMP, determined by using 31P n.m.r. spectroscopy and h.p.l.c., during isoprenaline infusion, graded hypoxia and graded underperfusion in isolated rat heart. Calculated activity changes were compared with the total efflux of purines (adenosine + inosine + hypoxanthine) in order to assess the involvement of various 5'-nucleotidases in formation of adenosine. Purine efflux exhibited an exponential relation with cytosolic [AMP] during isoprenaline infusion and hypoxia (r = 0.92 and 0.95 respectively), supporting allosteric activation of 5'-nucleotidase under these conditions. Purine efflux displayed a linear relation with cytosolic [AMP] during graded ischaemia (r = 0.96), supporting substrate regulation in the ischaemic heart. The calculated activities of membrane-bound ecto-5'-nucleotidase were similar to the observed relations between purine efflux and cytosolic [AMP] in all hearts. The calculated activities of the ATP-activated cytosolic and lysosomal enzymes and of the ATP-inhibited cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase could not explain the observed release of purines under the conditions examined. These results indicate that the kinetic characteristics of the membrane-bound ecto-enzyme are consistent with an important role in the formation of extracellular adenosine, whereas the characteristics of the other 5'-nucleotidases are inconsistent with roles in adenosine formation under the conditions of the present study.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Cloning and expression of the 5'-nucleotidase gene of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Escherichia coli and overproduction of the enzyme.

The gene encoding the membrane-bound 5'-nucleotidase of Vibrio parahaemolyticus was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Cells of E. coli harboring a plasmid, pNUT5, which carries the 5'-nucleotidase gene were able to grow on ATP as the sole source of carbon, although the original cells were not. The 5'-nucleotidase activity was detected in whole cells of E. coli harboring pNUT5 and in membrane vesicles prepared from these cells. Most properties of the 5'-nucleotidase produced in E. coli, that is, its requirements for Cl- and Mg2+, substrate specificity, and inhibition by Zn2+, were similar to those observed in V. parahaemolyticus, but some alterations in properties were observed: The 5'-nucleotidase was partially inducible in V. parahaemolyticus, but its expression in E. coli was completely constitutive. The specific activity of the 5'-nucleotidase in membrane vesicles of E. coli harboring the plasmid was 30 times that observed in whole cells, whereas the specific activities in membrane vesicles and in whole cells of V. parahaemolyticus were almost the same. A new, dense band of protein with an apparent molecular mass of 63 kDa was detected when membrane proteins of E. coli harboring the plasmid were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

An ATP-inhibited soluble 5'-nucleotidase of rat kidney.

Hydrolysis of 5'-AMP by 5'-nucleotidase is a possible source of adenosine in the kidney. A renal membrane-bound ecto-5'-nucleotidase has been previously described. The present study deals with the catalytic properties of a 5'-AMP phosphohydrolase partially purified from high-speed supernatants of rat kidney homogenates. It exhibits phosphatase activity toward 5'-AMP, 5'-IMP, and 5'-GMP, but not toward 2'- and 3'-AMP and corresponds therefore to a 5'-nucleotidase. The hydrolysis of 5'-AMP by the soluble 5'-nucleotidase requires divalent cations. Maximal activity is reached with 10 microM of either Mn2+ or Co2+, whereas half-maximal activity is obtained with approximately 400 microM Mg2+. The soluble 5'-nucleotidase exhibits Michaelis-Menten kinetics with a Km of 9.5 microM for 5'-AMP. In the presence of 1 mM of free Mg2+, physiological concentrations of ATP provoke an increase of the Km for 5'-AMP and a decrease of Vmax. An increase of the pH of 0.4 units in the pH range 6.4-7.4 roughly doubles the rate of hydrolysis of 5'-AMP. The effects of ATP and of the pH are compatible with a role of the renal soluble 5'-nucleotidase in the hydrolysis of 5'-AMP and in the production of adenosine during hypoxia.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Ecto-5'-nucleotidase of cultured rat mesangial cells.

Because adenosine plays a role in the regulation of glomerular filtration rate and of the release of renin, we examined the possibility of a local source for this mediator. We found that rat cultured glomerular mesangial cells converted 5'-AMP into adenosine. The properties of the enzyme involved in the reaction were those of an ecto-5' nucleotidase: (1) the products of the reaction were generated in the extracellular fluid although no 5'-nucleotidase was released by the cells into the medium; (2) identical activities were found for cultured cells in situ and sonicated cells; (3) the diazonium salt of sulfanilic acid which is a nonpenetrating reagent inhibited up to 75% of the enzyme activity. Ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity of intact cells obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Apparent Km for 5'-AMP was 0.32 mM. 5'-UMP was a strictly competitive inhibitor. ADP exerted a very powerful inhibitory effect and behaved also as a competitive inhibitor. ATP was inhibitory both by increasing Km and by decreasing Vmax. Ecto-5'-nucleotidase was active in the absence of divalent cations. However, Mg2+, Ca2+, Co2+ and Mn2+ were stimulatory. Zn2+ and Cu2+ suppressed the activity. Concanavalin A, a plant lectin, was markedly inhibitory, suggesting that a glycoprotein moiety was necessary to express enzyme activity. Ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity was not modified during phagocytosis of serum-treated zymosan by mesangial cells. Rat cultured glomerular epithelial cells exhibited a 5'-nucleotidase activity which was 4 times lower than that of the mesangial cells in primary culture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Kinetics of 5--nucleotidase in sera of liver cirrhotic and normal Iraqi individuals.

5'-Nucleotidase activity was elevated in patients with liver cirrhosis; greater values of 5'-Nucleotidase activity were found in biliary cirrhosis, 5'-Nucleotidase from liver cirrhotic sera was less stable than from normal sera. The velocity of 5'Nucleotidase from liver cirrhotic sera per minute, at t = 10, was greater than normal controls. The optimum (S) for 5'-Nucleotidase was found to be 1.0 mM A-5'-MP, for both normal and liver cirrhotic sera. Km (A-5'-MP) and (2'-d-A-5'-MP) of 5'-Nucleotidase was found to be significantly lower in patients with liver cirrhosis than normal controls.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Immature chemodifferentiation of Purkinje cell synapses revealed by 5'-nucleotidase ecto-enzyme activity in the cerebellum of the reeler mouse.

During postnatal development of the rodent cerebellum, a transient enzyme activity of ecto-5'-nucleotidase has been shown in the asymmetrical synapses of Purkinje cells. The alterations of the afferent circuitry and microenvironment of the ectopic Purkinje cells present in the cerebellum of the reeler mutant mouse could enlighten parameters that influence the synaptic 5'-nucleotidase activity of these cells. Ecto-enzyme cytochemistry reveals intense 5'-nucleotidase activity in 43% of synapses of the Purkinje cells throughout the cortex and the core of the reeler cerebellar vermis, although the molecular layer displays large areas with less than 1% of labelled synapses. However, enzymatic labelling is found in considerably more Purkinje cells synapses (73%) throughout the granular layer and the subcortical mass. Climbing fiber synapses of monoinnervated Purkinje cells are labelled by 5'-nucleotidase activity in the molecular layer, as well as asymmetrical synapses made on the subjacent ectopic Purkinje cells by the multiple climbing fibers and by the heterologous afferences. The non-innervated dendritic spines of these cells are also labelled, suggesting that 5'-nucleotidase activity at postsynaptic sites of reeler Purkinje cells does not depend on the presynaptic innervation. Rather, 5'-nucleotidase enzyme activity is enhanced at theses sites when the Purkinje cells have not achieved chemodifferentiation but have conserved immature wiring, i.e., low parallel fiber and multiple climbing fiber inputs.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Activation of ecto-5'-nucleotidase by protein kinase C attenuates irreversible cellular injury due to hypoxia and reoxygenation in rat cardiomyocytes.

Adenosine, synthesized by ecto-5'-nucleotidase, is cardioprotective against ischemia and reperfusion injury. We have previously reported that activation of protein kinase C increases ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity of the rat cardiomyocytes, raising the possibility that activation of protein kinase C protects cardiomyocytes from the irreversible cellular injury via activation of ecto-5'-nucleotidase. To test this hypothesis, cardiomyocytes were isolated from adult male Wistar rats and suspended in modified HEPES-Tyrode buffer solution. The cardiomyocytes were incubated with and without exposure to methoxamine (1 x 10(-6) mol/l) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA. 1 x 10(-8) mol/l). Ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity increased 15 min after the onset of an exposure to either methoxamine or PMA. Adenosine release during hypoxia and reperfusion was augmented in the methoxamine- and PMA-pretreated cardiomyocytes compared with the untreated cardiomyocytes, which was inhibited by alpha, beta-methyleneadenosine 5'-diphosphate (AOPCP), an inhibitor of ecto-5'-nucleotidase. Irreversible cellular injury assessed by the extent of release of lactate dehydrogenase and the trypan blue exclusion test following 60 min of hypoxia and 60 min of reoxygenation was attenuated in the methoxamine- and PMA-pretreated cardiomyocytes compared with the untreated group, which was also blunted by AOPCP and 8-sulfophenyltheophylline, an adenosine receptor antagonist. An adenosine A1 receptor agonist, N6-cyclohexyladenosine, restored the cardioprotection under the treatment with PMA and AOPCP. We conclude that activation of ecto-5'-nucleotidase via protein kinase C contributes to the attenuation of the irreversible injury of the rat cardiomyocytes due to hypoxia and reoxygenation.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Differences in the cellular zinc content and 5'-nucleotidase activity of normal and acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE) fibroblasts.

The acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE) mutation affects zinc (Zn) metabolism in human fibroblasts. We hypothesize that the mutation affects the cell Zn content, which subsequently affects the activity of various zinc-dependent enzymes, such as 5'-nucleotidase. Therefore, normal and AE fibroblasts were grown in normal medium containing physiological levels of Zn (16 micromol/L) for approximately 24 h. The medium was replaced by normal medium (16 micromol/L Zn), Zn-depleted medium (1.5 micromol/L Zn), or Zn-supplemented medium (200 micromol/L Zn) for another 24 h. Regardless of the Zn concentration of the growth medium, the AE fibroblasts contained significantly less Zn than normal fibroblasts grown in comparable medium. Nevertheless, growth of the fibroblasts in 200 micromol/L Zn medium significantly increased the cell Zn content fourfold of both normal and AE fibroblasts. The activity of 5'-nucleotidase in the AE fibroblasts grown in 16 micromol/L Zn or 1.5 micromol/L Zn medium was also significantly lower than in normal fibroblasts. Changing the growth medium from 16 micromol/L Zn to 1.5 micromol/L Zn medium did not affect the activity of the enzyme in either genotype. Cells grown in 200 micromol/L Zn medium exhibited threefold greater 5'-nucleotidase activity in AE fibroblasts, but had no affect on enzyme activity in normal cells. In summary, altering the cell Zn content of normal fibroblasts did not result in a significant change in their 5'-nucleotidase activity. However, AE fibroblasts grown in 200 micromol/L Zn medium exhibited recovery of their 5'-nucleotidase activity to normal levels. These results support the hypothesis that the AE mutation affects the cellular Zn content. The lower cell Zn content subsequently affects the activity of 5'-nucleotidase.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

De-novo expression of vascular ecto-5'-nucleotidase and down-regulation of glomerular ecto-ATPase in experimental chronic renal transplant failure.

Ischemic injury plays an important role in chronic renal transplant failure (CRTF). Down-regulation of ecto-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) in combination with up-regulation of ecto-5'-nucleotidase is a hallmark of ischemic injury. We studied the expression of renal ecto-5'-nucleotidase and ecto-ATPase in experimental renal transplantation. Fisher 344-to-Lewis allografted rats were either treated with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) or left untreated. Lewis-to-Lewis syngrafted rats served as controls. Untreated allografted rats developed proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis, and mild intimal hyperplasia. ACEi completely prevented focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FGS) and proteinuria, but significantly enhanced intimal hyperplasia. Untreated allografted rats revealed marked vascular ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity, which increased with ACEi. Vascular ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity was absent in syngrafted animals. Ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity correlated well with intimal hyperplasia. Glomerular ecto-ATPase expression was significantly reduced in untreated allografted rats compared to syngrafted rats and correlated well with the extent of FGS. ACEi prevented reduction in glomerular ecto-ATPase. We found de-novo expression of ecto-5'-nucleotidase at sites of renal intimal hyperplasia. Glomerular ecto-ATPase expression was markedly reduced in allografted rats and was prevented by ACEi. These enzyme expression patterns suggest local ischemic damage in experimental CRTF.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

5'-Nucleotidase activity and adenosine production in rat liver mitochondria.

The controversial subject of mitochondrial 5'-nucleotidase in the liver was studied employing density gradient fractionation combined with a method for analyzing the distribution profiles of marker enzymes based on multiple regression analysis. Triton WR-1339 was used to improve the separation of mitochondria from lysosomes by the gradient centrifugation technique. Adenosine production was examined further using acetate to increase intramitochondrial AMP, and thus adenosine production, in incubations with gradient centrifugation-purified mitochondria. Distribution analysis of the crude homogenate showed that 5'-nucleotidase activity exists in the mitochondrial fraction. To increase the resolution of this approach with respect to mitochondria, a crude mitochondrial fraction was also studied. In this case the relative mitochondrial activity decreased but 5'-nucleotidase activity was still clearly detectable. The mitochondrial 5'-nucleotidase exhibited a Km of 94 microM and a Vmax of 31 nmol/min per mg protein for AMP. The kinetic data for the Mg2+, ATP, ADP and AOPCP sensitivity of the enzyme showed that it differs from the plasma membrane, lysosome and cytosol 5'-nucleotidases. AOPCP was only a moderate inhibitor, and ATP was a more potent inhibitor than ADP at a 1 mM concentration. The enzyme also showed a requirement of Mg2+. Acetate caused the conversion of intramitochondrial adenylates to AMP and the formation of adenosine. Adenosine concentration increased in the extramitochondrial space in a time-dependent manner, but only trace amounts of nucleotides were detected. The data show that 5'-nucleotidase activity producing adenosine exists in rat liver mitochondria and a concentration-dependent adenosine output from mitochondria by diffusion or facilitated diffusion is also suggested.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Bile 5'-nucleotidase in the serum of jaundiced rats.

Rat serum 5'-nucleotidase, L-leucyl-beta-naphthylamidase and beta-glycerophosphatase activities are increased whilst alkaline p-nitrophenylphosphatase and alkaline phosphodiesterase activities are unchanged or decreased three days after bile duct ligation. Affinity chromatography on an immobilised antiserum raised against highly purified liver plasma membranes showed that although 5'-nucleotidase in normal serum is unrelated to the 5'-nucleotidase of liver plasma membrane, the 5'-nucleotidase of bile and much of the 5'-nucleotidase in the jaundiced serum are closely related to the plasma membrane enzyme. Since bile is rich in 5'-nucleotidase, the changes in level of this enzyme after bile duct ligation are most simply explained by leakage of bile into the blood; changes in the patterns of the other enzymes are shown to be consistent with this explanation. The jaundiced serum was examined by gel exclusion chromatography and flotation in sucrose gradients for the presence of small fragments of plasma membrane as reported in human jaundiced sera, but no such fragments could be detected three days after bile-duct ligation.

Animals↗

Synaptic 5'-nucleotidase is transient and indicative of climbing fiber plasticity during the postnatal development of rat cerebellum.

The transient appearance of 5'-nucleotidase, an adenosine-producing ecto-enzyme, was studied during specific stages of postnatal synaptogenesis in the rat cerebellum. For ultrastructural detection of 5'-nucleotidase activity, an enzyme-cytochemical technique was used. Between postnatal days 4 and 6, enzymatic reaction product was present in the synaptic clefts of climbing fibers containing the perisomatic spines, apical cones and emerging dendrites of Purkinje cells (CF-PC synapses). Labeled parallel fiber synapses were observed on dendritic shafts of cerebellar interneurons. At postnatal days 9 and 12, enzyme-positive parallel fiber terminals were in addition numerous on the spines of peripheral Purkinje branchlets, and gradually disappeared thereafter. Between postnatal days 8 and 15, labeling of perisomatic CF-PC contacts persisted. In contrast, climbing fiber synapses on Purkinje dendrites were only occasionally labeled. Between postnatal days 18 and 21, synaptic reaction product was restricted to mossy fibers. At the same time, association of 5'-nucleotidase with glial profiles was prominent throughout the cerebellar layers. In adult cerebellum (from 24 days onwards) all synapses were devoid of enzymatic activity. Throughout development, basket, stellate and Golgi cell synapses were devoid of enzymatic activity. We conclude that 5'-nucleotidase is present in excitatory cerebellar synapses during part of their generation period. The transient nature of this phenomenon suggests that 5'-nucleotidase may serve as a novel, cytochemical marker for a specific state of synaptic maturation, and in particular for climbing fiber plasticity. A role of 5'-nucleotidase in purinergic neuromodulation and cellular contact formation could be significant in these processes.

5'-Nucleotidase↗