Characterization of multiple forms of cholesteryl ester hydrolase in the rat testis

Cholesterol ester hydrolase (EC 3.1.1.13) activity from the 104,000 X g supernatant of rat testis was fractionated into 28-kDa, 72-kDa, and 420-kDa molecular mass forms by high performance size exclusion chromatography. The 72-kDa and 420-kDa forms (temperature-labile) were completely inactivated by elevation of temperature from 32 to 37 degrees C. Apparent disaggregation of the 420-kDa form suggested that the 72-kDa and 420-kDa enzymes are monomeric and multimeric forms of the same enzyme. The 28-kDa form was shown to be a different enzyme (temperature-stable) which retained activity at 37 degrees C. In contrast, cholesteryl ester hydrolase activities from 104,000 X g supernatants of liver or adrenal gland were unaffected and increased 4-fold, respectively, by elevation of temperature from 32 to 37 degrees C. Both testicular enzymes exhibited pH optima at about 7.3, and were activated by sodium cholate at concentrations near the critical micellar concentration (0.03-0.07%), but inhibited by higher concentrations. The temperature-labile cholesteryl ester hydrolase exhibited a high specificity for cholesteryl esters of monoenoic fatty acids of 18-24 carbons, especially nervonate (24:1), whereas the temperature-stable cholesteryl ester hydrolase exhibited highest specificity for cholesteryl oleate and arachidonate. Neither enzyme hydrolyzed cholesteryl acetate, myristate, palmitate, linoleate, or docosahexaenoate . Both enzymes reached maximum rates of hydrolysis at 150 microM substrates, with each substrate and at both reaction temperatures. Substrate inhibition was observed at higher concentrations (200 microM). The temperature-labile cholesteryl ester hydrolase was induced 20-fold in hypophysectomized rats by injection of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and was localized in Sertoli cells, the target cells for FSH, but was not induced by luteinizing hormone. The temperature-stable cholesteryl ester hydrolase was induced by both FSH and LH and was found in both Sertoli cells and Leydig cells, the respective target cells for FSH and luteinizing hormone. Neither form of the enzyme was present at detectable levels in the germinal cells. The unique properties, localization, and hormonal regulation of both temperature-labile and temperature-stable cholesterol ester hydrolases suggest important roles for these enzymes in the testis.