Simultaneous azo-coupling method for an estrogen sulfatase in human tissues

Histochemistry. 1983;78(2):241-9. doi: 10.1007/BF00489502.

Abstract

A simultaneous azo-coupling method for the histochemical localization of d-equilenin sulfatase is described. d-Equilenin is a natural estrogenic steroid hormone, and its sulfuric acid ester was synthesized. It was found that the d-equilenin liberated during hydrolysis of d-equilenin sulfate by tissue sulfatase could be coupled with a diazonium salt to produce a purple precipitate indicating enzyme activity. d-Equilenin sulfatase was found in human tissues, but not in tissues of the rat. The optimum substrate concentration was 0.8 mM, activity was demonstrable over the wide pH range 5.0-8.0. Enzyme activity localized diffusely in the cytoplasm in optimally fixed specimens. Enzyme activity was also fairly well demonstrable in unfixed cryostat sections. Enzyme activity was completely inhibited by 0.1 M phosphate, 1 mM sodium tetraborate, 1 mM p-nitrophenyl sulfate and by 2 mM p-nitrocatechol sulfate. Estrone sulfate at concentration 0.8 mM had no effect, but at 4 mM caused marked inhibition of the reaction. At the same concentrations dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate did not inhibit the reaction. The chemical properties and tissue localizations of d-equilenin sulfatase differed from the properties of arylsulfatases A, B and C and other steroid sulfatases reported previously in the literature.

MeSH terms

  • 17-Ketosteroids / analysis*
  • Adrenal Medulla / enzymology
  • Breast / enzymology
  • Diazonium Compounds*
  • Endometrium / enzymology
  • Equilenin / analysis*
  • Female
  • Histocytochemistry
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Kidney Tubules / enzymology
  • Male
  • Ovary / enzymology
  • Pregnancy
  • Rosaniline Dyes*
  • Skin / enzymology
  • Sulfatases / metabolism*
  • Time Factors
  • Toluidines*
  • Trophoblasts / enzymology

Substances

  • 17-Ketosteroids
  • Diazonium Compounds
  • Rosaniline Dyes
  • Toluidines
  • Fast Blue B
  • pararosaniline
  • Sulfatases
  • estrone sulfatase
  • Equilenin