Characterization of galactosyltransferase released from human hepatoma cells

A human hepatoma cell line (SK-H-MA) released a large amount of sialyltransferase (ST) and galactosyltransferase (GT) into the culture medium, whereas cells derived from normal human liver (Chang) released a large amount of GT but very little ST. The characteristics of hepatoma GT were studied since an abnormal GT isoenzyme has been associated with human gastrointestinal neoplasms. Both hepatoma and Chang medium GT activities had an absolute requirement for MnCl2 (25 mmol/l) and a broad optimal pH between 6.5 and 7.0, and were not affected by 0.1% Triton X-100. These two enzyme preparations were inhibited to the same extent by N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylgalactosamine, while N-acetylglucosamine was 100 times more potent than N-acetylgalactosamine. Various nucleotides inhibited both enzyme activities equally well. Uracil-containing nucleotides were better inhibitors than thymine-containing nucleotides, and other nucleotides were only slightly inhibitory. The most effective inhibitor was UDP. More of the GT activity in hepatoma medium (65%) as compared to Chang medium (35%) bound to concanavalin A-Sepharose, and was eluted with 2.5% alpha-methylmannoside. These results suggest that the GTs from hepatoma and Chang media are not different in their enzymatic activity but may differ in their carbohydrate contents, which may be another manifestation of the neoplastic nature of the hepatoma cell line.