Human beta-glucuronidase pinocytosis and binding to the immobilized phosphomannosyl receptor. Effects of treatment of the enzyme with alpha-N-acetylglucosaminyl phosphodiesterase

beta-D-Glucuronidase (EC 3.2.1.31) was purified to homogeneity from human spleen, and enzyme fractions from CM-Sephadex were examined for uptake by fibroblasts and retention by a column of immobilized phosphomannosyl receptor. Uptake and binding were enhanced by treatment of the enzyme with alpha-N-acetylglucosaminyl phosphodiesterase, greatly reduced by prior treatment with alkaline phosphatase, and restored by subsequent treatment with alpha-N-acetylglucosaminyl phosphodiesterase. Immobilized phosphomannosyl receptor was used to separate high and low uptake enzyme forms. About 25% of the total beta-glucuronidase was retained by the receptor column and eluted with mannose 6-phosphate. The rate of uptake of retained enzyme was 2.5-3.0-fold greater than that of the enzyme applied to the receptor column. The fraction retained by the column was reduced to 5-10% by prior treatment of the enzyme with alkaline phosphatase. This phosphatase-resistant, receptor-retained fraction was taken up at only 24% the rate of non-phosphatase-treated, receptor-retained enzyme. However, its uptake was increased 7-fold by treatment with alpha-N-acetylglucosaminyl phosphodiesterase. The enhanced rate of pinocytosis conferred by treatment of the enzyme with alpha-N-acetylglucosaminyl phosphodiesterase was destroyed by a subsequent treatment with alkaline phosphatase. These studies demonstrate that although most of the "high uptake" enzyme in beta-glucuronidase from human spleen binds to receptors through phosphomonoesters of mannose, a significant fraction can interact with immobilized phosphomannosyl receptor and be taken up by fibroblasts through interactions involving mannose 6-phosphate in diester linkage with N-acetyl-D-glucosamine.