Distribution of protein-bound sugar residues in microsomal subfractions and Golgi membranes

Abstract

Liver microsomal subfractions and Golgi membranes free from adsorbed and secretory proteins have a characteristic sugar composition. The ratio of mannose to galactose is largest in rough microsomes, smaller in smooth I microsomes, still smaller in smooth II microsomes, and smallest in Golgi membranes. There is about twice as much glucosamine in Golgi membranes and 3 times as much in smooth II microsomes as in the other microsomal subfractions. Golgi membranes are rich in sialic acid in comparison to rough microsomes and it is present at even higher levels in the two smooth microsomal subfractions. Increasing concentrations of deoxycholate preferentially remove protein-bound mannose and glucosamine, while releasing significantly less galactose. About half of the microsomal mannose and galactose can be liberated from the surface of intact microsomal vesicles by treatment with trypsin. When trypsin is added to permeable vesicles where the inside surface can be also attacked, an additional 20% of the total mannose but no additional galactose is liberated.