Nonspecific esterases of the formed elements: zymograms produced by pH 9.5
polyarcrylamide gel electrophoresis
J Yourno and W Mastropaolo
The formed elements of human blood each contain multiple isoenzymes of
nonspecific esterase that hydrolyze short chain alpha naphthyl esters.
Zymograms that are characteristic of each type of formed element are
obtained by subjecting purified preparations of each to polyacrylamide slab
gel electrophoresis at pH 9.5 and subsequent staining of the gels for
esterase activity. The most prominent isoenzyme detected is a species of
low mobility that is reactive with either acetyl or butyryl esters and is
highly sensitive to inhibition by 40 mM sodium fluoride. Also detected are
several major acetyl esterases and a single butyryl esterase, all of which
are relatively fluoride resistant. The intercellular distribution of
isoenzymes varies from element-specific to pancellular. The prominent
fluoride-sensitive acetyl, butyryl esterase, is the major isoenzyme of
monocyte zymograms, which is consistent with the well known cytochemistry
of monocytes. Lesser but significant amount (2%-3% of monocyte levels) of
this isoenzyme were also detected in granulocyte zymograms. This system may
prove useful in the study of differentiation of blood cells and in the
classification of acute leukemias.
Volume 58,
Issue 5,
pp. 939-946,
11/01/1981
Copyright © 1981 by The American Society of Hematology
