The respiratory burst of phagocytosis: biochemistry and subcellular localization

Using nitrogen cavitation and Percoll density gradient centrifugation for subcellular centrifugation of human neutrophils, approximately 90% of the low potential b-cytochrome, unique for phagocytes, as well as 50% of the flavoproteins in normal neutrophils were found in a granule fraction which co-sedimented with the specific granules. Upon stimulation of the intact cells with phorbol myristate acetate, both the b-cytochrome and the flavoprotein translocated from this granule fraction to the fractions which contained the plasma membranes and the NADPH oxidase activity. In neutrophils from two patients with chronic granulomatous disease, both the b-cytochrome and the flavoprotein of the granules were absent, but flavoprotein was present in normal amounts in the membrane and cytosol fractions. Taken together, these findings suggest that the specific granules, or granules co-sedimenting with the specific granules, are important stores for the components of the NADPH oxidase, which is responsible for the respiratory burst. Analysis of the stoichiometry of CO2 generation, H+ secretion and O2 consumption by stimulated neutrophils indicated that the hexose monophosphate shunt is the source of both protons and electrons for the NADPH oxidase activity, as well as of the extra protons secreted during the respiratory burst.