Effect of Detergents on Ceramide-3 Hydrolysis by α-Galactosidase A

The lysosmal hydrolase α-galactosidase A is responsible for the hydrolysis of several α 1→4 galactosidic linkage-containing glycolipids like ceramide-3 [galactosyl (α 1→4)galactosyl (s 1→4)glucosyl ceramide) and digalactosyl ceramide. Measurement of the enzymic activity of this water-soluble enzyme can be performed using a water-soluble artificial substrate like p-nitrophenyl-α-galactoside. To measure the activity towards the water insoluble natural substrate a detergent is used. Micells between substrate and detergent are formed and make the glycolipid susceptible to enzymic degradation.Using crude and pure sodium taurocholate as detergent, we have investigated the factors influencing the enzymic activity of α-galactosidase A and the hydrolysis of ceramide-3.