Action of norepinephrine on free and cryptic acid phosphatase activity in newborn rats

The distribution of free and cryptic acid phosphatase activity in brain slices and homogenates of newborn rats was investigates with 1-5% Triton X-100. A maximum level of enzyme activity (which implies a loss of latency of lysosomal acid phosphatase was found with 2.5% Triton X-100. The enzyme activity was constantly enhanced 2.5-3 fold by homogenization of brain with 2.5% Triton X-100. Preincubation of brain slices with 0.1 mM norepinephrine for 1 hour increases by 20% the activity of enzyme. Preincubation of supernatant, after homogenization, decreases by 6-8% the total activity and by 8% the activity of samples treated with 2.5% Triton X-100. This latter effect seems to be more efficient on the cryptic (lysosomal) acid phosphatase as suggested by the isoenzymatic pattern. Addition of cyclic AMP to the samples (after homogenization) has no effect on the enzymatic activity.