Intracellular Activity of Lysosomal Glucosylceramidase Measured with 4-Nonylumbelliferyl β-glucoside

Enzymatic activity of lysosomal glucosyl-ceramidase was determined in intact murine hybridoma and macrophage cells with the synthetic substrate nonylumbeliferyl-beta-glucoside (NUG). The substrate was applied as complex with bovine serum albumin (two binding sites, Kd 2.2 +/- 0.3 microM). The transport of the artificial substrate from medium to the enzyme was explored by measurements of substrate concentrations in cellular membranes and of endocytosis rate relative to substrate hydrolysis. The results indicated that, after enrichment in the plasma membrane, the substrate is mainly transported by simple diffusion. Release of nonylumberlliferone monitored fluorimetrically after disintegration of the cells in borate buffer containing Triton X-100 at pH 9.5 showed that 10(8) cells of both cell lines hydrolysed 1-1.5 nmol substrate/min at a total concentration of 0.1 mM NUG in the medium. Substrate hydrolysis was prevented by preincubating the cells with conduritol B epoxide (CBE), a specific active site-directed inhibitor of lysosomal glucosylceramidase. The substrate concentration at the site of the enzyme and maximal activity were evaluated by the inhibiting effect of the substrate on the inactivation rate by conduritol B epoxide. The rate of inhibitor uptake measured with bromo-[3H]conduritol B epoxide was shown to be not rate-limiting for the inactivation reaction. The molar concentration of the enzyme was determined by labeling with bromo-[3H]conduritol B epoxide. Comparison of the maximal intracellular activity with that of the enzyme after disintegration and activation by taurocholate showed a 20-fold lower activity in the native environment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)