Activity and properties of α- l-fucosidase are dependent on the state of enterocytic differentiation of HT-29 colon cancer cells

Previously we have demonstrated an impairment in the activity of α- l-fucosidase in colon tumours. In order to establish an in vitro model to study this enzyme in colon cancer, we have determined the activity and properties of the enzyme during the differentiation of HT-29 colon cancer cells. Cultures were committed to differentiate into enterocyte-like cells by placing them in a culture medium without glucose for 18–21 days. The state of differentiation was evaluated by assaying the activity of enterocytic marker enzymes, and the acquisition of enterocyte morphology was assessed by electron microscopy. The α- l-fucosidase activity was determined using a fluorometric method. Intracellular levels of α- l-fucosidase activity are lower in non-differentiated cells (3.0±1.01 U/mg) than in differentiated ones (9.2±4.09 U/mg) ( P