IMPROVED RECOVERY OF (1-]3),(1-]4)-BETA-D-GLUCAN SYNTHASE ACTIVITY FROM GOLGI-APPARATUS OF ZEA-MAYS (L) USING DIFFERENTIAL FLOTATION CENTRIFUGATION

The synthesis of (1-->3),(1-->4)-beta-D-glucan (MG) is associated with the Golgi apparatus of maize. Identification of in vitro reaction products by enzymic hydrolysis and separation of diagnostic oligosaccharides by HPLC was used as a specific assay for MG synthase activity. Large quantities of highly enriched membrane are: needed to study the enzyme components of MG synthesis. We directly obtained highly enriched Golgi apparatus in a single flotation centrifugation, without the necessity of an initial downward centrifugation. This new procedure has improved the yield of Golgi apparatus, and has improved recovery of MG synthase activity. The substrate in glucan synthase reactions is UDP-Glc, but UDP-Glc is also a substrate in many other reactions, including the production of simple glucosides. In addition, much of the labeled Glc from UDP-Glc is broken down to Glc-I-P and Glc under MG synthase reaction conditions. We have explored some inhibitors of phosphatase, phosphorylase, phosphodiesterase, and glucosidase activities in order to minimize these competing reactions and increase the activity of MG synthase.