Isolation of stable pancreatic zymogen granules

Isolated pancreatic zymogen granules have been reported to lyse in common electrolyte solutions such as NaCl or KCl or at pH values above 5.5. A new method, based on an isosmotic Percoll density gradient, was developed for the isolation of zymogen granules and applied to rat pancreas. The granules are highly purified as judged by electron microscopic appearance and specific amylase activity. These granules exhibit a high degree of stability at physiological pH and in isotonic NaCl or KCl. Zymogen granule diameters, determined with a Coulter Counter, were 1.0 +/- 0.2 micron in either isotonic NaCl and KCl. These size values, obtained in physiological solutions, are comparable with granule sizes determined in intact cells by microscopy. Amylase activity averaged 0.66 microU per granule and protein content averaged 0.31 pg per granule; these values were not significantly influenced by different conditions of pH between 5.5 and 7.0 and ionic strength from near 0 to 0.15. The granule density estimated from the protein content was 1.13 g/ml, which agrees well with the behavior of granules in a density gradient. The properties of zymogen granules from the new preparation rectify the apparent discrepancy between their role as a storage organelle and their previously reported in vitro instability.