Localization of beta-glucosidase activity within keratinizing epithelia

1. Serial frozen sections (10 microns thick) were cut parallel to the plane of the epithelium from skin, hard palate and gingiva of the pig (Sus scrofa), and beta-glucosidase activity was measured in each section. 2. In each of these tissues, there was a low constitutive level of beta-glucosidase activity in the inner portion of the epithelium, and a several-fold increase in activity was observed in the region of the stratum granulosum-stratum corneum interface. 3. The maximum specific activity of beta-glucosidase was significantly lower in gingiva (8 nmol substrate/hr/slice) than in epidermis and palate (15-18 nmol/hr/slice). 4. The increase in expression of beta-glucosidase activity near the stratum granulosum-stratum corneum boundary appears to be intimately involved in the conversion of glucosylceramides to ceramides in the final stages of differentiation. This conversion may be a major determinant of the barrier properties of the stratum corneum.