Multiple molecular forms of phosphoprotein phosphatase. Separation of four forms of the rabbit skeletal muscle enzyme

Phosphoprotein phosphatase [phosphoprotein phosphohydrolase EC 3.1.3.16] in the soluble fraction of rabbit skeletal muscle, when assayed with phosphorylase a[EC 2.4.1.1] from rabbit skeletal muscle and phosphohistone as substrates, was resolved into three active fractions (Fractions I, II, and III in order of elution) by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. Sucrose density gradient centrifugation showed that these fractions were composed of subfractions of different molecular size (I: 7.3S and 4S; II: 8S and 4S; III; 6.7S). Components with larger molecular size in the major fractions, II and III, were dissociated to a molecular size similar to that of the smallest component on freezing in the presence of mercaptoethanol. These results indicate that phosphoprotein phosphatase from skeletal muscle occurs in multiple forms very similar to those of the liver enzyme reported previously (Kobayashi, Kato and Sato (1975) Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 373, 343-355).