Degradative removal of heparan sulfate from the surface of an ascites hepatoma, AH 66, by heparitinase.

: Heparitinase [EC 4.2.2.8, heparitin sulfate lyase] was prepared from an extract of cultured cells of Flavobacterium heparinum. Purification of the enzyme was achieved by repeating the hydroxyapatite column chromatography. The enzyme was used to degrade heparan sulfate occurring on the surfaces of ascites hepatoma cells, AH 66. From the supernatant of the enzyme-treated cells, breakdown products from heparan sulfate could be detected by paper chromatography. The heparitinase was found to be more effective than trypsin in removing heparan sulfate from the cells. Furthermore, on analyzing glycosaminoglycans and glycopeptides from the enzyme-treated cells and control cells, it was concluded that heparan sulfate was exclusively present on the cell surface and accessible to the heparitinase whereas other cell surface complex carbohydrates remained intact.