Reversible aggregation and stability of lysosomal acid beta-galactosidase from porcine adrenal cortex

1. Acid beta-galactosidase [EC 3.2.1.23] of porcine adrenocortical lysosomes, assayed for its activity towards p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside, showed two activity peaks on gel filtration profile at pH 7.4, one corresponding to a molecular weight of approximately 270,000 (termed form A3) and the other about 65,000 (termed form A1). 2. Another form of acid beta-galactosidase with a molecular weight of about 130,000 (termed form A2) was found when the high speed extract or partially purified form A1 was chromatographed on Sephadex G-150 at pH 4.5. 3. In the presence of 0.1 M NaCl or saturating amounts of substrate at pH 4.5, the high speed extract showed the aggregation of form A2 yielding form A3. Dissociation of form A3 back to form A1 was observed on incubation at 37 degrees C in 0.02 M sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, and that was followed by irreversible enzyme inactivation. 4. Dissociation of form A3 into form A1 and enzyme inactivation in phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, were prevented by addition of 0.1 M NaCl. 5. The interconvertible enzymic forms showed the same pH-activity profiles and Michaelis constants. 6. These results suggest that the lysosomal acid beta-galactosidase in the porcine adrenal cortex exists in vivo as the dimer, and that the dimer may further aggregate into the tetramer.