Reversible microsomal binding of hepatic aldolase

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (d-fructose-1,6-bisphosphate d-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate lyase, EC 4.1.2.13) partitions between the microsomes and the cytosol when a rat liver homogenate is fractionated by differential centrifugation. Gel electrophoresis and immunodiffusion indicate that the one isozyme present in the liver of the young adult rat is found in both fractions. The association of the aldolase with membranes is differentially sensitive to a variety of metabolites and inorganic salts. In the absence of cellular salts, 1 mM fructose 1,6-bisphosphate or glucose 1,6-bisphosphate elutes 50% of the enzyme from the microsomes. About 9 mM P_i or citrate is necessary to produce the same effect. With other metabolites or inorganic salts higher concentrations are required. The fraction of total enzyme which partitions with the microsomes when a homogenate is submitted to high speed centrifugation, correlates inversely with the level of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate in the supernatant solution and this concentration is higher when the tissue concentration in the homogenate is greater. The K_m for fructose 1,6-bisphosphate of 3 · 10⁻⁴ for aldolase bound to microsomes is decreased to 6 · 10⁻⁶ M when the enyme is dissociated from the membranes with salt. These observations appear relevant to the ongoing discussion regarding the physiological relevance of the subcellular localization of glycolytic enzymes.