[Separation and properties of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase from human seminal plasma]

N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase from human seminal plasma has been separated by the cellulose acetate electrophoresis into two components, isoenzyme I and II. The two isoenzymes are readily separated on a DEAE-Sephadex column. Isoenzyme I which has adsorbed to the column, is eluted at 0.1 M NaCl, whereas isoenzyme II has passed through the column. The following enzyme properties have been obtained: 1) Both isoenzymes show the same Km values (0.27 X 10(-3) M) towards sodio-m-cresol-sufonphtaleinyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide . 2) Both isoenzymes show the same pH optima of 5.4. 3) Optimal temperature for isoenzyme I is 50 degrees C, while that for isoenzyme II is 65 degrees C. Isoenzyme II is heat stable, while isoenzyme I is easily denatured by heat. These characteristics of isoenzyme I and II coincide with previous reports of NAG A and B from the spleen and the kidney, respectively. The activity ratio of isoenzyme I and II has been studied for the reproductive tissues. The % ratio of isoenzyme I and II in the epididymal head is 62 and 38, that in the epididymal tail is 42 and 58, and 38:62 in the seminal vesicle, 35:65 in the prostatic gland and 27:73 in the seminal plasma.