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Influence of subtotal hepatectomy on peroxisomes and peroxisomal enzymes of rat liver and isolated liver cell fractions.

The activities of peroxisomal enzymes of rat liver were followed 1 to 10 days after subtotal (60-70%) hepatectomy in homogenates prepared from regenerating livers and in cell fractions isolated from them. Catalase activity was found to be depressed in the total liver homogenate (H) as well as in the mitochondrial (M) and soluble (S) fractions, while it did not change appreciably in the microsomal (Mc) and lysosomal (L) fractions. Alpha-hydroxyacid oxidase behaved in a similar fashion. In contrast to these enzymes, urate oxidase activity remained unchanged in H, whereas it was decreased in M and increased in L and Mc during the first 5 days after operation. These results agree well with the assumption that microbody proliferation is initiated by the fragmentation of large peroxisomes. The different relations of peroxisomal enzyme activities during regeneration time are discussed with respect to the possible existence of various kinds of peroxisomes with different enzyme equipments and with different turnover rates. Biochemical examinations ions were paralleled to morphological and histochemical studies. An early increase in number of peroxisomes was found to occur during the first day after partial hepatectomy, which is accompanied by decrease in particle size. During the first mitotic wave (24-36 hrs post op.) the number of peroxisomes per cell was reduced to about the half. After this time number and size of the particles began to increase. Positive staining of ribosomes was frequently observed in the vicinity of peroxisomes after the application of the cytochemical catalase reaction (alkaline diaminobenzidine medium). This phenomenon is interpreted to represent rather a diffusion artifact than the cytochemical identification of newly synthesized catalase.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases

The hepatic effects of hypolipidemic drugs (clofibrate, nafenopin, tibric acid, and Wy-14,643) on hepatic peroxisomes and peroxisome-associated enzymes.

Male Swiss-Webster mice were fed diets containing four hypolipidemic agents which are known to induce proliferation of hepatic peroxisomes. Treatment with all four drugs (clofibrate; its structural analogue, nafenopin; and two drugs structurally unrelated to clofibrate, tibric acid and Wy-14,643) produced a marked hepatomegaly in the mice. The extent of the increase in liver weight correlated well with the increases in total hepatic DNA and in the collective volume of hepatocyte peroxisomes. Treatment with these drugs also produced similar increases in the activities of peroxisome-associated enzymes. The most dramatic increases were noted in the activities of the short-chain (8- to 26-fold) and medium-chain (4- to 11-fold) carnitine acyltransferase. Significant increases were also noted in the activities of catalase (twofold to threefold), alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (twofold to threefold) and the long-chain carnitine acyltransferase (twofold to fourfold). Activity of the latter enzyme, however, is not known to be associated with peroxisome fractions. Concomitant administration of actinomycin D or cycloheximide with a single oral dose of clofibrate diminished the increases in liver weight and carnitine acyltransferase which occurred with clofibrate treatment alone. The finding that the major increase in activity of peroxisome enzymes occurred in those associated with metabolism of acyl CoA groups supports the hypothesis that the hypolipidemic action of the drugs and the proliferation of hepatic peroxisomes are related functions.

Acetyltransferases

Determination of the cross-points of rat liver peroxisomes, peroxisomal core and the core components by cross-partition.

The cross-points of rat liver peroxisomes, peroxisomal core and the core components were determined by means of cross-partition in two phase systems. The partitions were carried out in the systems containing 6% (w/w) Dextran T 500 and 6% (w/w) polyethyleneglycol 4000 in sodium salts. The same cross-point, pH 5.6, was obtained in peroxisomal marker enzymes in light mitochondrial fraction of liver homogenate, such as catalase, D-amino acid oxidase and urate oxidase. The cross-point as determined by cross-partition of purified peroxisomal core was 6.7. The cross-points of urate oxidase and framework protein fractions obtained by alkali treatment on the purified core were 7.8 and 4.2, respectively, and the ratio of the proteins of urate oxidase to framework protein was 2 : 1. The theoretical value of cross-point of the core calculated from from the relationship between the cross-point and protein ratio of each component of the core coincided with the experimental value obtained by this method.

Animals

Studies on peroxisomes. VI. Relationship between the peroxisomal core and urate oxidase.

The peroxisomal core from the liver of rats was purified 450-fold as a marker of urate oxidase [EC 1.7.3.3.] activity. This preparation has a high specific activity of urate oxidase but not of other peroxisomal enzymes: D-amino acid oxidase [EC 1.4.3.3.], L-alpha-hydroxy acid oxidase [EC 1.1.3.15], or catalase [EC 1.11.1.6]. No activity of marker enzymes for other subcellular particles; cytochrome c oxidase [EC1.9.3.1] (mitochondria), acid phosphatase [EC 3.1.3.2] (lysosomes), or glucose-6-phosphatase [EC 3.1.3.9] (microsomes), was detected in this preparation. The core obtained showed a single protein band in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the position of the band was found to correspond to a molecular weight 35,000. When the peroxisomal core was subjected to treatment at various pH's with 0.1 M carbonate buffer, urate oxidase was almost completely solubulized at pH 11.0, although approximately 35% of the core protein still remained in the pellet After solubilization of the core at pH 11.0, the specific activity of urate oxidase in the supernatant increased about 1.6 times; the density of the insoluble protein remaining in the pellet was identical with the that of the original core on sucrose density gradient centrifugation.

Animals

Mitochondria and peroxisomes from the cellular slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum. Isolation techniques and urate oxidase association with peroxisomes.

The isolation of cell organelles from Dictyostelium discoideum was attempted using a variety of techniques. Cell homogenization (e.g. Potter-Elvehjem, glass beads) gave poor yields of organelles which were, in addition, exceptionally fragile and unstable in density gradients. An isolation method was developed using Triton X-100 in buffered sorbitol/Ficoll solutions at concentrations optimal for plasma membrane rupture. Immediately following cell lysis the solutions were diluted to sub-optimal Triton X-100 concentrations. Sedimentabilities of malate dehydrogenase, citrate synthetase, urate oxidase and catalase of around 55%, 40%, 35% and 55% respectively could be demonstrated using this method. The organelles were more resistant to breakage during resuspension following differential centrifugation and remained largely intact during density gradient centrifugation. The distribution of adenylate kinase activity in gradients showed that at least half the mitochondria retained an intact outer membrane. The mitochondria and peroxisomes could not be clearly separated using conventional sucrose-Ficoll density gradients. Separation was achieved by incubating the cell homogenate with succinate and a tetrazolium dye (2-p-iodophenyl-3-p-nitrophenyl-5-phenyl monotetrazolium chloride). Succinate dehydrogenase activity of mitochondria reduced the tetrazolium dye and the product (formazan) was deposited on the mitochondrial membranes ("heavy-labelling"). The mitochondria then sedimented to denser regions of the gradient while catalase distribution remained unchanged. The treatment left both organelles intact. The mitochondria (1.21 g/ml) were slightly denser than the peroxisomes (1.19 g/ml). The peroxisomes contained catalase and urate oxidase; no other hydrogen-peroxide-producing oxidases were detected. The slime mould urate oxidase resembled the mammalian enzyme. It had an apparent Km value of 12.5 muM, an optimum of activity at pH 8.5 in borate buffer and was competitively inhibited by trichloropurine.

2,6-Dichloroindophenol

Studies on peroxisomes. V. Effect of ethyl p-chlorophenoxyisobutyrate on the centrifugal behavior of rat liver peroxisomes.

After Wistar male rats had been fed on a diet containing 0.25% of ethyl p-chlorophenoxyisobutyrate (CPIB) for 28 days, changes in the enzyme activities and centrifugal behavior of rat liver peroxisomes were investigated. (1) Compared with control rats fed on the basal diet, the catalase [EC 1.11.1.6] activity of rat livers after the administration of CPIB increased about 2.5-fold, while urate oxidase [EC 1.7.3.3] activity did not change significantly. Though D-amino acid oxidase [EC 1.4.3.3] activity markedly decreased to approximately one-sixth of the control, the activity of L-alpha-hydroxy acid oxidase [EC 1.1.3.15], a flavin enzyme like D-amino acid oxidase, was not affected significnatly after the administration of CPIB. (2) When the hepatic cells of CPIB-treated rats were fractionated by differential centrifugation, most of the increase of catalase activity appeared in the supernatant fraction. A decrease in the hepatic D-amino acid oxidase activity of CPIB-treated rats was observed in all the fractions. As for the subcellular distribution of the particle-bound enzymes, the specific activities of both catalase and urate oxidase of CPIB-treated rat livers were higher in the light mitochondrial fraction than in other fractions. (3) Sedimentation patterns in a sucrose density gradient did not show any difference between normal peroxisomers, and CPIB-treated ones. (4) In the case of CPIB-treated rats, studies of their sedimentation patterns by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation showed two main particulate peaks containing both catalase and urate oxidase, although only a single peak was observed in the case of control rats.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases

Studies of peroxisomes. VIII. Evidence for framework protein of the cores of rat liver peroxisomes.

The cores of peroxisomes were purified 670 fold from a rat liver homogenate and the protein in the preparation was examined by sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Two bands of protein were detected on 10% polyacrylamide gel, and their molecular weights were calculated to be about 32,000 and 27,000. On treatment of the core fraction with alkali, urate oxidase was solubilized and on 10% polyacrylamide gel this fraction gave a single band of protein with an estimated molecular weight of 32,000. These results suggests that the protein component having a molecular weight of 27,000 is the framework protein of the core of rat liver peroxisomes.

Animals

Analysis and validation of abnormal signaling pathways and immune cell infiltration characteristics in digestive system cancers based on peroxisome-related genes.

BACKGROUND: Although emerging evidence suggests a role for peroxisomes in tumorigenesis, their functions in digestive cancers remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between peroxisomes and digestive tract tumors. METHODS: To systematically investigate peroxisomal functions in digestive cancers, we first constructed and validated tumor-specific prognostic signatures based on peroxisome-related genes (PRGs) through univariate Cox, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and multivariate Cox regression analyses. We then characterized the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) with CIBERSORT, X-CELL, and EPIC algorithms, and identified tumor-specific and common signalings via Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Focusing on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we experimentally validated peroxisome-related therapeutic responses by profiling signature genes in radioresistant cells and an orthotopic transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) rat model. PEX13 knockdown further assessed peroxisomal role in radiosensitivity and targeted therapy response. Clinical relevance of PEX13 was evaluated in HCC cohort. Single-cell RNA sequencing dataset and lipidomics further revealed peroxisomal mechanisms in HCC progression. Finally, peroxisomal function in colorectal cancer (CRC) was validated in vitro. RESULTS: Novel peroxisome-related prognostic signatures demonstrated strong predictive power in HCC, colon adenocarcinoma, rectal adenocarcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, gastric adenocarcinoma, esophageal adenocarcinoma, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and cholangiocarcinoma. High-risk patients displayed an immunosuppressive microenvironment, characterized by increased infiltration of regulatory T cells, M2 macrophages, Th2 cells, or cancer-associated fibroblasts, or Th1 cells' reduction. Peroxisomes engaged in several distinct yet convergent pathways, most notably "positive regulation of response to stimuli". HCC prognostic genes were dynamically regulated in response to therapeutic stimuli, including radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and TACE. Clinically, the expression of PEX13 was markedly upregulated in tumor tissues from therapy-resistant HCC patients. Mechanistically, peroxisomal dysfunction induced by silencing PEX13 in HCC or UBE2D2 in CRC may overcome therapeutic resistance (radiotherapy/ lenvatinib resistance in HCC, radioresistance in CRC) through reprogramming lipid metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: Peroxisomes act as pivotal regulators of digestive cancer progression by modulating signaling pathways, the TIME, therapeutic resistance, and lipid metabolism. Targeting peroxisomal function, particularly in high-risk subgroups of HCC and CRC, warrants further exploration as a promising therapeutic strategy.

Peroxisomes

Postnatal development of peroxisomal and mitochondrial enzymes in rat liver.

Subcellular organellles from livers of rats three days prenatal to 50 weeks postnatal were separated on sucrose gradients. The peroxisomes had a constant density of 1.243 g/ml throughout the life of the animal. The density of the mitochondria changed from about 1.236 g/ml at birth to a constant value of 1.200 g/ml after two weeks. The peroxisomal and mitochondrial fatty acid beta-oxidation and the peroxisomal and supernatant activities of catalase and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase were measured at each age, as well as the peroxisomal core enzyme, urate oxidase, and the mitochondrial matrix enzyme, glutamate dehydrogenase. All of these activities were very low or undetectable before birth. Mitochondrial glutamate dehydrogenase and peroxisomal urate oxidase reached maximal activities per g of liver at two and five weeks of age, respectively. Fatty acid beta-oxidation in both peroxisomes and mitochondria and peroxisomal glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase exhibited maximum activities per g of liver between one and two weeks of age before weaning and then decreased to steady state levels in the adult. Peroxisomal beta-oxidation accounted for at least 10% of the total beta-oxidation activity in the young rat liver, but became 30% of the total in the liver of the adult female and 20% in the adult male due to a decrease in mitochondrial beta-oxidation after two weeks of age. The greatest change in beta-oxidation was in the mitochondrial fraction rather than in the peroxisomes. At two weeks of age, four times as much beta-oxidation activity was in the mitochondria as in the peroxisomal fraction. Peroxisomal glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity accounted for 5% to 7% of the total activity in animals younger than one week, but only 1% to 2% in animals older than one week. Up to three weeks of age, 85% to 90% of the liver catalase was recovered in the peroxisomes. The activity of peroxisomal catalase per g of rat liver remained constant after three weeks of age, but the total activity of catalase further increased 2.5- to 3-fold, and all of the increased activity was in the supernatant fraction.

Age Factors

Structure, composition, physical properties, and turnover of proliferated peroxisomes. A study of the trophic effects of Su-13437 on rat liver.

Peroxisome proliferation has been induced with 2-methyl-2-(p-[1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthyl]-phenoxy)-propionic acid (Su-13437). DNA, protein, cytochrome oxidase, glucose-6-phosphatase, and acid phosphatase concentrations remain almost constant. Peroxisomal enzyme activities change to approximately 165%, 50%, 30%, and 0% of the controls for catalase, urate oxidase, L-alpha-hydroxy acid oxidase, and D-amino acid oxidase, respectively. For catalase the change results from a decrease in particle-bound activity and a fivefold increase in soluble activity. The average diameter of peroxisome sections is 0.58 +/- 0.15 mum in controls and 0.73 +/- 0.25 mum after treatment. Therefore, the measured peroxisomal enzymes are highly diluted in proliferated particles. After tissue fractionation, approximately one-half of the normal peroxisomes and all proliferated peroxisomes show matric extraction with ghost formation, but no change in size. In homogenates submitted to mechanical stress, proliferated peroxisomes do not reveal increased fragility; unexpectedly, Su-13437 stabilizes lysosomes. Our results suggest that matrix extraction and increased soluble enzyme activities result from transmembrane passage of peroxisomal proteins. The changes in concentration of peroxisomal oxidases and soluble catalase after Su-13437 allow the calculation of their half-lives. These are the same as those found for total catalase, in normal and treated rats, after allyl isopropyl acetamide: about 1.3 days, a result compatible with peroxisome degradation by autophagy. A sequential increase in liver RNA concentration, [14C]leucine incorporation into DOC-soluble proteins and into immunoprecipitable catalase, and an increase in liver size and peroxisomal volume per gram liver, characterize the trophic effect of the drug used. In males, Su-13437 is more active than CPIB, another peroxisome proliferation-inducing drug; in females, only Su-13437 is active.

Acid Phosphatase

Morphometric analysis of the ultrastructural changes in rat liver induced by the peroxisome proliferator SaH 42-348.

The changes occurring in hepatocytes of F-344 male rats during a 3-wk treatment with a hypolipidemic agent, 1-methyl-4-piperidyl-bis [p-chlorophenoxy]acetate (SaH 42-348), have been evaluated by morphometric and biochemical methods. The twofold increase in liver weight resulted from a significant increase in hepatocyte cytoplasm as well as a moderate increase in the number of liver cells. The peroxisome population and SER played an overwhelming part in the hypertrophy of hepatocytic cytoplasm. The relative volume and the surface density of peroxisomes volume resulted from an increased ninefold and sevenfold, respectively. The increase in the collective peroxisome volume resulted from an increase in both the number and the average volume of peroxisomes. The SER also demonstrated a substantial increase in these values. The relative volume and surface density of mitochondria were not significantly altered in comparison to controls, while these values for RER decreased onefold. Studies on the lobular distribution of cytoplasmic organelles before and during treatment revealed that the relative volume and surface density of peroxisomes and SER increased from periportal to centrilobular cells of the hepatic lobule, whereas mitochondrial values decreased from periportal to centrilobular cells. The RER values were fairly constant in different parts of the hepatic lobule. The increase in peroxisome and SER volume and surface area was first evident within the first 3 days of SaH 42-348 treatment and these values continued to increase, reaching a steady state within 2 wk. The time course of increase in catalase and carnitine acetyltransferase activities correlated with the morphometric data on the peroxisomes. After cessation of SaH 42-348 treatment, the peroxisome values decreased rapidly within the first 3 days and reached control levels within 1 wk. Moderate reduction in SER values occurred after withdrawal of the drug, but these values remained higher than controls even after 2 wk, suggesting that the reduction in the amount of circulating peroxisome proteins may result in empty SER channels. On the 4th day of drug withdrawal a significant increase in the relative volume and surface density of lysosomes was observed, suggesting that these organelles may play some part in the removal of cellular membranes. However, the rapid reduction in peroxisome values after SaH 42-348 withdrawal appears to be due to cessation of enhanced peroxisome protein synthesis.

Animals

Mitochondrial and peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation in liver homogenates and isolated hepatocytes from control and clofibrate-treated rats.

Mitochondrial and peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation were compared in whole liver homogenates. Oxidation of 0.2 mM palmitoyl-CoA or oleate by mitochondria increased rapidly with increasing molar substrate:albumin ratios and became saturated at ratios below 3, while peroxisomal oxidation increased more slowly and continued to rise to reach maximal activity in the absence of albumin. Under the latter condition mitochondrial oxidation was severely depressed. In homogenates from normal liver peroxisomal oxidation was lower than mitochondrial oxidation at all ratios tested except when albumin was absent. In contrast with mitochondrial oxidation, peroxisomal oxidation did not produce ketones, was cyanide-insensitive, was not dependent on carnitine, and was not inhibited by (+)-octanoylcarnitine, malonyl-CoA and 4-pentenoate. Mitochondrial oxidation was inhibited by CoASH concentrations that were optimal for peroxisomal oxidation. In the presence of albumin, peroxisomal oxidation was stimulated by Triton X-100 but unaffected by freeze-thawing; both treatments suppressed mitochondrial oxidation. Clofibrate treatment increased mitochondrial and peroxisomal oxidation 2- and 6- to 8-fold, respectively. Peroxisomal oxidation remained unchanged in starvation and diabetes. Fatty acid oxidation was severely depressed by cyanide and (+)-octanoylcarnitine in hepatocytes from normal rats. Hepatocytes from clofibrate-treated rats, which displayed a 3- to 4-fold increase in fatty acid oxidation, were less inhibited by (+)-octanoylcarnitine. Hydrogen peroxide production was severalfold higher in hepatocytes from treated animals oxidizing fatty acids than in control hepatocytes. Assuming that all H2O2 produced during fatty acid oxidation was due to peroxisomal oxidation, it was calculated that the contribution of the peroxisomes to fatty acid oxidation was less than 10% both in cells from control and clofibrate-treated animals.

Acyl Coenzyme A

The peroxisomes of human hepatocytes.

In an ultrastructural study of human liver biopsy specimens we found that peroxisomes are regularly present in normal human hepatocytes. Their relationships with the endoplasmic reticulum observed in other species and in other organs were also demonstrable in this material. Some normal peroxisomes were found to display marginal plates or peripheral crystalline inclusions which were present in pathologic specimens as well. In certain inherited metabolic disorders (Menkes' steely hair disease, analbuminemia) the volume of the individual peroxisomes appeared to be considerably reduced. But most pathologic processes affecting hepatocytes seem to produce any or several of the following: increased volume or numbers per cell, changes of shapes, alterations of the consistency of the matrix, appearance of dense numbers per cell, changes of shapes, alterations of the consistency of the matrix, appearance of dense inclusions, or clustering of peroxisomes in some portions of the cytoplasm. Some of these abnormalities are reversible based on observations in three patients with Wilson's disease treated with D-penicillamine. The mean +/- standard deviation of diameters of peroxisomes in four normal subjects was 0.618 +/- 0.143 mum. Significant reductions or increases in mean diameters of peroxisomes were noted in all but two of the 16 pathologic specimens. There were other morphologic abnormalities present in the remaining two specimens. We conclude that various pathologic processes involving the hepatocytic cytoplasm exert different effects on peroxisomes. Although no specific pattern of morphologic alteration emerged from this exploratory study, a possible involvement of peroxisomes ought to be considered whenever metabolic or pathologic processes affect the liver.

Biopsy

Peroxisomes of rat peritoneal macrophages during phagocytosis.

The peroxisomes of resident macrophages in the rat peritoneal cavity were examined during the phagocytosis of latex microbeads, employing the akaline diaminobenzidine (DAB) technique. Peroxisomes generally were located in close proximity to phagosomes and were often observed in a process of apparent fusion with phagosomes. Cytochemical evidence was also obtained for discharge of catalase from peroxisomes to phagosomes. The profiles indicating fusion were observed after 10 minutes of incubation with microbeads. The number of peroxisomes was increased in macrophage profiles examined 30 minutes after exposure to microbeads. Acid phosphatase was localized in small vesicles that were distinct from peroxisomes, and peroxidase was not demonstrable in peroxisomes. A method for ultrastructural localization of periodate reactive complex carbohydrate demonstrated glycoproteins in numerous small vesicles or granules, some of which possibly represented peroxisomers. The possible function of peroxisomes during phagocytosis in rat peritoneal macrophages is considered.

Acid Phosphatase

Glyoxylate aminotransferase in peroxisomes from rat liver and kidney.

An aminotransferase was isolated from peroxisomes that had been separated by isopycnic centrifugation of homogenates from rat liver or kidney. The enzyme was located only in the peroxisomes and in the soluble fraction, presumably from broken peroxisomes. Within the peroxisomes, this aminotransferase was in the soluble matrix. This specific aminotransferase was not found in spinach leaves. The enzyme was relatively specific for glyoxylate as the amino group acceptor. L-Leucine and L-phenylalanine were the preferred amino donors; other amino acids were less efficiently utilized. Rates were 181 nmol X min-1 of peroxisomal protein with leucine, and 134 with phenylalanine. The rate with serine was only 28% as fast and there was no reaction with glutamate. The reactions were essentially irreversible. Treatment of peroxisomes with 0.04% Triton X-100 increased enzyme activity 80%. The enzyme in the peroxisomes was stable at 50 degrees. The enzyme was purified 100-fold. Activities with leucine, phenylalanine, and histidine could not be separated by gel filtration and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Its molecular weight was estimated to be 72,000. Reaction kinetics were ping-pong. The Km (glyoxylate) was 0.5 mM with leucine and 0.67 mM with phenylalanine. Km (leucine) was 2.5 mM and Km (phenylalanine) was 2.8 mM. Substrate inhibition occurred at over 4 mM glyoxylate but did not occur with the amino donors. pH optima were 8.5 for leucine and phenylalanine and 6.2 for histidine. There was no requirement for exogenous pyridoxal phosphate, but activity was inhibited by phenylhydrazine and isonicotinic acid hydrazide. The glyoxylate aminotransferase developed postnatally and increased with age until rats were 40 days old. There was more activity in female than male rats. About 50% of the activity disappeared if rats were starved overnight. Clofibrate treatment of male rats increased this enzyme activity in isolated peroxisomes. Rats on a high casein diet had slightly higher enzyme activity.

Animals

The isolation and characterization of peroxisomes (microbodies) from baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Peroxisomes were isolated form derepressed (lactose grown) Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells following homogenization with a "Merkenschlager" cell mill (at 0 degrees C using glass beads). Catalase and urate oxidase, along with low activities of D-amino acid oxidase and L-alpha-hydroxyacid oxidase (glycollate oxidase), were associated with the peroxisomes. No catalase activity was present in glucose repressed cells. When protoplasts prepared from derepressed cells were used for peroxisome isolation, catalase activity was not sedimentable through gradients. Apparently peroxisomes were destroyed as the cells became fermentative during protoplast preparation. The distribution of glyoxylate cycle enzymes was examined. Isocitrate lyase was not sedimentable, suggesting that, if the enzyme is peroxisome-associated, it is either readily released of present in a labile second class of peroxisomes. Low activities of malate dehydrogenase and citrate synthetase were found in peroxisome fractions from gradients, but may represent mitochondrial contamination. Citrate synthetase was not found associated with a low-density particle as had been previously reported.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases

Unusual responses of rat hepatic and renal peroxisomes to RMI 14, 514, a new hypolipidemic agent.

RMI 14, 514 ([5-tetradecycloxy]-2-furancarboxylic acid) represents a new class of hypolipidemic agents which cause unusual ultrastructural changes in liver of male rats and in selected peroxisomal enzymes in liver and kidney of both sexes. Among the principal ultrastructural changes in peroxisomes of male rat liver were (a) cavitation and compartmentalization of the matrix, often giving the appearance of a peroxisome-within-a-peroxisome, and (b) narrow, dense extensions of canaliculi or cisterns from the periphery of the peroxisome, forming partial circlets or surrounding irregular areas of cytoplasm. The unusual enzyme responses were (a) elevation of catalase activity in liver and kidney in female rats, (b) increased activity of three hydrogen peroxide-producing oxidases (urate oxidase, L-alpha-hydroxy acid oxidase, and D-amino acid oxidase) in the liver of both sexes, and (c) elevation of activity of the last two oxidases in male kidney. The peculiar ultrastructural changes in liver peroxisomes combined with the responses of selected peroxisomal enzymes represent unusual modulations or adaptations of these organelles to a hypolipidemic agent, the effects of which have not been reported extensively.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases