[Peptide hydrolase activity in rabbit brain subcellular fractions under conditions of adrenalectomy and administration of hydrocortisone and ACTH].

Abstract

Adrenalectomy and administration of hydrocortisone and ACTH are shown to induce no changes in the total activity of neutral peptide-hydrolase in both homogenates and brain subcellular fractions. The absence of adrenalectomy and hormone administration effect on the total peptide-hydrolase activity in homogenates is established simultaneously with its essential changes in the brain subcellular fractions. A decrease in the enzymic activity of the mitochondrial-lysosomal fraction (MLF) following adrenalectomy is observed side by side with its increase in a soluble fraction. Hydrocortisone and ACTH administration cause an increase in the acid peptide-hydrolase activity in MLF and its decrease in the brain soluble and microsomal fractions of adrenalectomized rabbits. The degree of solubilization of MLF acid and neutral peptide-hydrolase by detergent triton X-100 after adrenalectomy is increased. Hydrocortisone and ACTH administration, on the contrary, decrease a degree of solubilization of the brain MLF peptide-hydrolase in adrenalectomized animals.