Enzymatic solubilization of microsomal nadh-cytochrome [formula omitted]5 reductase by lysosomes

Abstract

Purification of microsomal NADH-cytochrome b 5 reductase was first reported by Strittmatter and Velick (1957), who solubilized the enzyme from calf liver microsomes by digestion with the venom of a snake ( Naja naja ), . However, the nature of the component of the snake venom, which was responsible for the release of the reductase from microsomal particles, has remained to be elucidated. It is the purpose of the present communication to show that the lysosomal fraction of rat liver has an ability to solubilize microsomal NADH-cytochrome b 5 reductase when incubated with microsomes under conditions very similar to those employed by the previous workers for digestion of microsomes with the snake venom (Strittmatter and Velick, 1957; Strittmatter, 1967). The principal role of snake venom in the solubilization of the reductase is doubted.