Studies on sulphatases. 16. A soluble preparation of arylsulphatase C of rat-liver microsomes

Abstract

Attempts were made to obtain the arylsulfatase C of rat-liver microsomes in soluble form. The enzyme cannot be solubilized by simple extraction procedures or by methods which are known to be effective in rupturing the enveloping membranes of the participate components of the liver cell. Treatment of fresh liver microsomes, or acetone-dried whole rat liver, with crude pancreatic enzyme preparations in the presence of the non-ionic detergent Lissapol-N effectively solubilizes arylsulfatase C, although some loss of enzyme activity occurs. Similar treatment with crystalline trypsin in the presence of Lissapol-N results in considerable destruction of arylsulfatase C and is ineffective in solubilizing the enzyme. The final soluble preparation of arylsulfatase C is unstable at room temperature and still contains traces of rat-liver arylsulfatases A and B.