Biochemical studies on leukocyte and fibroblast human beta-galactosidase

Objectives: Some biochemical characteristics of the human leukocyte and fib roblast beta-galactosidase were studied. Design and Methods: Leukocyte and fibroblast enzyme activity was determined fluorometricaly using 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-galactoside as artificia l substrate. Optimum pH, K-m, V-max and thermostability of the enzyme at 42 degrees C were determined. Results: The leukocyte and fibroblast enzyme has an optimum pH at 4.2, whic h is in agreement with the lysosomal origin of the enzyme. The K-m, of the enzyme was 0.62 in leukocytes and 0.67 in fibroblasts, and V-max was 289.9 nmol/h/mg of protein and 1779.2 nmol/h/mg of protein in the two tissues, re spectively. When fibroblast or leukocyte beta-galactosidase was pre-incubat ed at 42 degrees C, it did not retain its activity because the residual act ivity after 80 minutes of pre-incubation at this temperature was lower than 30% of the initial activity both in leukocytes and fibroblasts. Conclusions: This was the first study of K-m, V-max and thermostability of beta-galactosidase performed on leukocytes and provided data for a better c haracterization of the enzyme beta-galactosidase, allowing the improvement of the analytical conditions. Copyright (C) 1999 The Canadian Society of Cl inical Chemists.