Studies on the activation of the enzymatic hydrolysis of sphingomyelin liposomes

Stimulation of lysosomal sphingomyelin degradation by sphingolipid activator proteins

Lysosomal breakdown of glycosphingolipids with short hydrophilic carbohydrate headgroups is achieved by the simultaneous action of specific hydrolases and sphingolipid activator proteins (SAPs). Activator proteins are considered to facilitate the enzyme/substrate interaction between water-soluble enzymes and membrane-bound substrates. Sphingomyelin, containing the small hydrophilic phosphorylcholine moiety, is hydrolysed by acid sphingomyelinase (acid SMase). Recent experimental data on the in vivo and in vitro role of activator proteins in sphingomyelin breakdown by acid SMase are reviewed. These data combined with the results using homogenous protein preparations as well as a liposomal assay system mimicking the physiological conditions suggest that lysosomal sphingomyelin degradation is not critically dependent on any of the known activator proteins. Moreover, evidence is provided that the assumed intramolecular activator domain of acid SMase and especially the presence of negatively charged lipids in the lysosomes are sufficient for sphingomyelin turnover.

Sphingolipid activator proteins are required for epidermal permeability barrier formation

The epidermal permeability barrier is maintained by extracellular lipid membranes within the interstices of the stratum corneum. Ceramides, the major components of these multilayered membranes, derive in large part from hydrolysis of glucosylceramides mediated by stratum corneum beta-glucocerebrosidase (beta-GlcCerase). Prosaposin (pSAP) is a large precursor protein that is proteolytically cleaved to form four distinct sphingolipid activator proteins, which stimulate enzymatic hydrolysis of sphingolipids, including glucosylceramide. Recently, pSAP has been eliminated in a mouse model using targeted deletion and homologous recombination. In addition to the extracutaneous findings noted previously, our present data indicate that pSAP deficiency in the epidermis has significant consequences including: 1) an accumulation of epidermal glucosylceramides together with below normal levels of ceramides; 2) alterations in lipids that are bound by ester linkages to proteins of the cornified cell envelope; 3) a thickened stratum lucidum with evidence of scaling; and 4) a striking abnormality in lamellar membrane maturation within the interstices of the stratum corneum. Together, these results demonstrate that the production of pSAP, and presumably mature sphingolipid activator protein generation, is required for normal epidermal barrier formation and function. Moreover, detection of significant amounts of covalently bound omega-OH-GlcCer in pSAP-deficient epidermis suggests that deglucosylation to omega-OH-Cer is not a requisite step prior to covalent attachment of lipid to cornified envelope proteins.

Saposins (sap) A and C activate the degradation of galactosylceramide in living cells

In loading tests using galactosylceramide which had been labelled with tritium in the ceramide moiety, living skin fibroblast lines derived from the original prosaposin-deficient patients had a markedly reduced capacity to degrade galactosylceramide. The hydrolysis of galactosylceramide could be partially restored in these cells, up to about half the normal rate, by adding pure saposin A, pure saposin C, or a mixture of these saposins to the culture medium. By contrast, saposins B and D had little effect on galactosylceramide hydrolysis in the prosaposin-deficient cells. Cells from beta-galactocerebrosidase-deficient (Krabbe) patients had a relatively high residual galactosylceramide degradation, which was similar to the rate observed for prosaposin-deficient cells in the presence of saposin A or C. An SV40-transformed fibroblast line from the original saposin C-deficient patient, where saposin A is not affected, showed normal degradation of galactosylceramide. The findings support the hypothesis, which was deduced originally from in vitro experiments, that saposins A and C are the in vivo activators of galactosylceramide degradation. Although the results with saposin C-deficient fibroblasts suggest that the presence of only saposin A allows galactosylceramide breakdown to proceed at a normal rate in fibroblasts, it remains to be determined whether saposins A and C can substitute for each other with respect to their effects on galactosylceramide metabolism in the whole organism.

Model SV40-transformed fibroblast lines for metabolic studies of human prosaposin and acid ceramidase deficiencies

Skin fibroblasts from patients with Farber disease (acid ceramidase deficiency) and from two siblings of the only known family affected with prosaposin deficiency were transformed by transfection with a plasmid carrying the SV40 large T antigen. The prosaposin-deficient transformed cell lines conserved their original metabolic defects, and in particular they were free of detectable immunoreactivity when using anti-saposin B and anti-saposin C antisera. Ultrastructurally, the cells contained heterogeneous lysosomal storage products. As found for their parental cell lines, the SV40-transformed fibroblasts exhibited deficient in vitro activities of lysosomal ceramidase and beta-galactosylceramidase, but a normal activity of acid sphingomyelinase. As observed for SV40-transformed fibroblasts from Farber disease, degradation of radioactive glucosylceramide or low density lipoprotein-associated radiolabelled sphingomyelin by the prosaposin-deficient cells in situ showed a clear impairment in the turnover of lysosomal ceramide. Ceramide storage in prosaposin-deficient cells was also demonstrated by ceramide mass determination. In contrast to acid ceramidase deficient cells, both the accumulation of ceramide and the reduced in vitro activity of acid ceramidase in cells from prosaposin deficiency could be corrected by addition of purified saposin D. The data confirm that prosaposin is required for lysosomal ceramide degradation, but not for sphingomyelin turnover. The SV40-transformed fibroblasts will be useful for pathophysiological studies on human prosaposin deficiency.

Prosaposin deficiency: further characterization of the sphingolipid activator protein-deficient sibs. Multiple glycolipid elevations (including lactosylceramidosis), partial enzyme deficiencies and ultrastructure of the skin in this generalized sphingolipid storage disease

Sphingolipid activator protein (SAP) deficiency, previously described in two sibs and shown to be caused by the absence of the common saposin precursor (prosaposin), was further characterized by biochemical lipid and enzyme studies and by ultrastructural analysis. The 20-week-old fetal sib had increased concentrations of neutral glycolipids, including mono-, di-, tri- and tetrahexosylceramide, in liver, kidney and cultured skin fibroblasts compared with the controls. Glucosylceramide and lactosylceramide were particularly elevated. The kidney of the affected fetus showed additional increases in the concentration of sulphatide, galactosylceramide and digalactosylceramide. Free ceramide was stored in the liver and kidney, and GM3 and GM2 gangliosides were elevated in the liver, but not the brain, of the fetus. Phospholipids, however, were normal in the affected fetus. In the liver biopsy of the propositus, who later died at 16 weeks of age, only a few lipids could be studied. Glucosylceramide, dihexosylceramide and ceramide were elevated in agreement with our previous study. Enzyme studies were undertaken using detergent-free liposomal substrate preparations and fibroblast extracts. The sibs' beta-glucocerebrosidase and beta-galactocerebrosidase activities were clearly reduced, but their sphingomyelinase activities were normal. The normal activity of the latter enzyme and the almost normal tissue concentration of sphingomyelin in prosaposin deficiency suggest that the prosaposin-derived SAPs are not required for sphingomyelinase activity in vivo. In keeping with the biochemical findings, skin biopsies from the sibs showed massive lysosomal storage with a vesicular and membranous ultrastructure. The function of SAPs in sphingolipid degradation and the role of SAPs for enzyme activity in vitro are discussed. In addition, the similarity in neutral glycolipid accumulations in Niemann-Pick disease type C and in prosaposin deficiency are noted. The phenotype of the prosaposin deficient sibs resembled acute neuronopathic (type 2) Gaucher disease more than Farber disease in several aspects, but their genotype was unique.

Effect of saposins on acid sphingomyelinase

The effect of saposins (A, B, C and D) on acid sphingomyelinase activity was determined using a crude human kidney sphingomyelinase preparation and a purified sphingomyelinase preparation from human placenta. Saposin D stimulated the activity of the crude enzyme by increasing its apparent Km and Vmax. values for sphingomyelin hydrolysis. Unlike the crude enzyme, the activity of the purified enzyme was strongly inhibited by saposin D as well as other saposins. Saposin D decreased the apparent Km and Vmax values of purified sphingomyelinase activity. The effects of saposin D on the activity of different sphingomyelinase preparations appear to depend on Triton X-100, which is present in the crude enzyme but not in the purified enzyme. When the detergent was removed from the crude preparation, the effect of saposin D changed from being stimulatory to inhibitory. Conversely, when the detergent is added to the purified enzyme, the effect of saposin D on sphingomyelinase activity changed from being inhibitory to stimulatory. While other saposins were inhibitory or had no effect on sphingomyelinase activity in the above assay system, not only saposin D but also saposins A and C exhibited a stimulatory effect upon purified sphingomyelinase activity when the substrate, sphingomyelin, was added in the form of liposomes without detergent. Saposin B was not only inhibitory in the liposome system, but also reduced the stimulatory effect of saposins A, C and D. These observations indicate that the stimulatory effect of saposins A, C and D on acid sphingomyelinase activity is greatly influenced by the physical environment of the enzyme and suggest that similar effects by saposins may be exerted in lysosomal membranes.

Additional biochemical findings in a patient and fetal sibling with a genetic defect in the sphingolipid activator protein (SAP) precursor, prosaposin. Evidence for a deficiency in SAP-1 and for a normal lysosomal neuraminidase

It has been shown that sphingolipid activator proteins (SAPs) 1 and 2 are encoded on the same gene along with two other putative activator proteins [Fürst, Machleidt & Sandhoff (1988) Biol. Chem. Hoppe-Seyler 369, 317-328 and O'Brien, Kretz, Dewji, Wenger, Esch & Fluharty (1988) Science 241, 1098-1101]. We have undertaken further biochemical investigations on a patient and fetal sibling, who were previously shown to have a unique sphingolipid storage disorder associated with an SAP-2 deficiency [Harzer, Paton, Poulos, Kustermann-Kuhn, Roggendorf, Grisar & Popp (1989) Eur. J. Pediatr. 149, 31-39]. The severity of their disorder suggested that other products of the SAP precursor or prosaposin gene may also be deficient. The turnover of cerebroside sulphate and globotriaosylceramide were investigated and were both impaired in fibroblasts from the patient and fetus. However, the activities of cerebroside sulphate sulphatase and globotriaosylceramide alpha-galactosidase in vitro were normal in cells from the fetus and patient respectively. In addition, there was an increase in cerebroside sulphate concentration in the kidney of the affected fetus. These results indicate that, in addition to the SAP-2 deficiency, there was a defect in SAP-1 function in this disorder. Additional increases in the concentration of monohexosyl- and dihexosyl-ceramide in the fetal kidney probably reflect the deficiency of SAP-2 in the case of monohexosylceramides, and the combined activator deficiency in the case of dihexosylceramides. Lactosylceramide-loading studies confirmed that there was a defect in the turnover of this lipid in fibroblasts from the affected patient and fetus but not from a patient with an isolated SAP-1 deficiency, or from patients with Krabbe disease, GM1 gangliosidosis or galactosialidosis. It has been suggested [Potier, Lamontagne, Michaud & Tranchemontagne (1990) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 173, 449-456] that the prosaposin gene also codes for lysosomal neuroaminidase. However, we found normal neuraminidase activity in fibroblasts from our patient, using assay conditions which are diagnostic for sialidosis patients. The role of prosaposin gene products in sphingolipid metabolism is discussed in view of our biochemical findings in this genetic disorder.

Activator proteins and topology of lysosomal sphingolipid catabolism

The lysosomal degradation of several sphingolipids by acid hydrolases is dependent on small non-enzymic cofactors, called sphingolipid activator proteins some of which have been identified as sphingolipid binding proteins. This review summarizes the information available on the structure, function, biosynthesis, gene organization and pathobiochemistry of the known sphingolipid activator proteins. It also offers models for their mode of action and for the topology of lysosomal digestion of glycolipids.

Uptake and degradation of several pyrenesphingomyelins by skin fibroblasts from control subjects and patients with Niemann-Pick disease. Effect of the structure of the fluorescent fatty acyl residue

Three fluorescent analogues of sphingomyelin (SPM), each containing pyrene in the fatty acyl residue, were synthesized and employed for the study of their mode of uptake by, and degradation within, intact cultured human skin fibroblasts. These were prepared by condensing sphingosylphosphocholine and the following fatty acids: pyrenedodecanoic acid (P12), pyrenesulphonylaminoundecanoic acid (PSA11) and pyrenepropenoic acid (P3:1). The cell association and catabolism of these SPM analogues by normal, Niemann-Pick-disease-Type-A and low-density-lipoprotein (LDL)-receptor-negative familial hypercholesterolaemia fibroblasts were investigated and compared with the metabolism of [cholinemethyl-14C]sphingomyelin. The catabolism of the fluorescent derivatives was monitored by measuring the appearance of the corresponding fluorescent ceramides. Two modes of uptake and degradation patterns were observed. Thus P12-SPM and radiolabelled SPM were taken up by LDL-receptor-mediated endocytosis when incubated with serum-containing medium, this conclusion being supported by the very low uptake by familial-hypercholesterolaemia fibroblasts, which lack the apolipoprotein-B/E receptor. After uptake, these compounds were metabolically degraded solely by the lysosomal sphingomyelinase, as evidenced by the fact that more than 98% of the SPM remained undegraded in Niemann-Pick-disease cells. By contrast, PSA11- and P3:1-SPMs were taken up by a receptor-independent endocytic pathway, as indicated by the similar rates of uptake in control and familial-hypercholesterolaemia cells in the absence or presence of fetal-calf serum in the culture medium. The degradation of PSA11-SPM and P3:1-SPM was brought about, in the main, by the lysosomal sphingomyelinase, but also by a yet uncharacterized process. The latter catabolic pathway, active in Niemann-Pick-disease-Type-A fibroblasts, seems to differ from the neutral Mg2(+)-dependent sphingomyelinase whose activity was undetectable in homogenates of skin fibroblasts. The present study emphasizes the influence of the structure of the fatty acyl moiety of SPM on its association with lipoproteins and/or cell membranes and on its intracellular routing and metabolic degradation.

An update of the enzymology and regulation of sphingomyelin metabolism

Sphingomyelin is found in plasma membranes and related organelles (such as endocytic vesicles and lysosomes) of all tissues, as well as in lipoproteins. Abnormalities in sphingomyelin metabolism have been associated with atherosclerosis, cancer and genetically transmitted diseases; however, except for Niemann-Pick disease, little is known about the mechanism for these disorders. Sphingomyelin biosynthesis de novo involves ceramide formation from serine and two mol of fatty acyl-CoA followed by addition of the phosphocholine headgroup. The headgroup appears to come from phosphatidylcholine, but other sources have not been ruled out. Factors that influence the rate of sphingomyelin synthesis include the availability of serine and palmitic acid, plus the relative activities of key enzymes of this pathway. Sphingomyelin turnover involves removal of the headgroup and amide-linked fatty acid by sphingomyelinases and ceramidases, respectively, which have been found in both lysosomes (with acidic pH optima) and plasma membranes (with neutral to alkaline pH optima). The enzymes of sphingomyelin turnover release ceramide and free sphingosine from endogenous substrates, which may have implications for the participation of a sphingomyelin/sphingosine cycle as another 'lipid second messenger' system.

Enzyme-replacement therapy: problems and prospects

Several diseases can, at least in theory, be treated by the administration of an enzyme, the deficiency of which is the cause of the disease. Various attempts have been made to correct enzymatic deficiencies responsible for the clinical manifestation of diseases for which prevention cannot be achieved by modification of the diet or by supportive therapy with drugs. Except for treating certain digestive disorders, enzyme-replacement therapy has not yet found a broad application. In this review article a compilation is given of the problems and prospects of enzyme-replacement therapy in diseases caused by the deficiency of an enzyme.

Sphingolipid activator protein deficiency in a 16-week-old atypical Gaucher disease patient and his fetal sibling: biochemical signs of combined sphingolipidoses

We describe a patient who presented shortly after birth with hyperkinetic behaviour, myoclonia, respiratory insufficiency and hepatosplenomegaly. Gaucher-like storage cells were found in bone marrow. A liver biopsy showed massive lysosomal storage morphologically different to that in known lipid storage disorders. Biochemically, the patient had partial deficiencies of beta-galactocerebrosidase, beta-glucocerebrosidase and ceramidase in skin fibroblast extracts, but the sphingomyelinase activity was normal. Glucosyl ceramide and ceramide were elevated in liver tissue. Loading of cultured fibroblasts with radioactive sphingolipid precursors indicated a profound defect in ceramide catabolism. Immunological studies in fibroblasts showed a total absence of cross-reacting material to sphingolipid activator protein 2 (SAP-2). The patient died at 16 weeks of age. The fetus from his mother's next pregnancy was similarly affected. The possibility that the disorder results from a primary defect at the level of SAP-2 is discussed. We have named this unique disorder SAP deficiency.

Coding of two sphingolipid activator proteins (SAP-1 and SAP-2) by same genetic locus

Several complementary DNAs (cDNAs) coding for sphingolipid activator protein-2 (SAP-2) were isolated from a lambda gt-11 human hepatoma library by means of polyclonal antibodies. The nucleotide sequence of the largest cDNA was colinear with the derived amino acid sequence of SAP-2 and with the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA coding for the 70-kilodalton precursor of SAP-1 (SAP precursor cDNA). The coding sequence for mature SAP-2 was located 3' to that coding for SAP-1 in the SAP precursor cDNA. Both SAP-1 and SAP-2 appeared to be derived by proteolytic processing from a common precursor that is coded by a genetic locus on human chromosome 10. Two other domains similar to SAP-1 and SAP-2 were also identified in SAP precursor protein. Each of the four domains was approximately 80 amino acid residues long, had nearly identical placement of cysteine residues, potential glycosylation sites, and proline residues. Each domain also contained internal amino acid sequences capable of forming amphipathic helices separated by helix breakers to give a cylindrical hydrophobic domain that is probably stabilized by disulfide bridges. Protein immunoblotting experiments indicated that SAP precursor protein (70 kilodaltons) as well as immunoreactive SAP-like proteins of intermediate sizes (65, 50, and 31 kilodaltons) are present in most human tissues.

Analysis of the multiple forms of Gaucher spleen sphingolipid activator protein 2

Gaucher spleen sphingolipid activator protein 2 was fractionated into concanavalin A binding- and non-binding fractions. These fractions each contained several bands on non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The two fractions were further fractionated by electroblotting the proteins from preparative gels onto nitrocellulose, staining with Ponceau S to locate the bands of protein and then eluting the protein components from the nitrocellulose. A total of ten fractions, each containing only one or two major components, was collected. All of these subfractions activated beta-glucocerebrosidase and sphingomyelinase and most subfractions also activated beta-galactocerebrosidase. The structural relationship of the bands was investigated using endoglycosidase digestions. The results indicated that the two bands with the fastest mobility on non-denaturing PAGE did not contain any carbohydrate. The remaining bands showed only limited or partial digestion with endoglycosidase H and endoglycosidase D, but were readily hydrolysed with endoglycosidase F. The products of these digestions included bands with similar mobilities to the non-carbohydrate containing bands.

Presence of activator proteins for the enzymatic degradation of glucosylceramide in several human tissues

Glucosylceramidase (EC 3.2.1.45) protein activators, similar to the 'placental factor' previously identified by us in human placenta, have also been found in human liver, normal and Gaucher fibroblasts and Gaucher spleen. They stimulate enzymatic hydrolysis of the natural substrate, glucosylceramide, but not that of the artificial substrate, 4-MU-beta-D-glucopyranoside. They are present in the tissues over the minimum amount necessary for full activation of the enzyme and must be eliminated from crude enzyme preparations in order to observer their effect on glucosylceramidase activity. The factors are not tissue-specific in that the factors from any one of the sources can activate glucosylceramidase from either placenta or liver. The presence of taurocholate or phosphatidylserine in the assay is essential for the factor efficiency. A normal level of the activator proteins was found in fibroblasts from subjects affected with Gaucher disease type I, type II and type III.

Regional localization of the gene coding for sphingolipid activator protein SAP-1 on human chromosome 10

Sphingolipid activator protein SAP-1 is required for the enzymatic hydrolysis of GMI ganglioside and sulfatide. The gene coding for SAP-1 was previously mapped to human chromosome 10 using monospecific antibodies prepared against SAP-1 in synteny analysis of somatic cell hybrids. In this study, we used a cDNA probe for SAP-1 and in situ hybridization to regionally localize the SAP1 gene to the long arm of chromosome 10, region q21-22. Additional mapping data using cell hybrids containing partial chromosome 10 and skin fibroblasts with trisomy 10p are consistent with the in situ hybridization mapping results.

Glucosylceramide and the level of the glucosidase-stimulating proteins

The concentration of beta-glucosidase-stimulating proteins (called cohydrolase here) was measured in mouse liver and brain by immunoassay. Factors that might influence the levels of cohydrolase were examined. Injecting mice with an inactivator of glucosidase (conduritol B epoxide) rapidly produced elevations in liver glucosylceramide (the enzyme's substrate) and in liver and brain cohydrolase. Injection of glucosylceramide emulsified with Myrj 52 produced the same two effects in liver but not in brain. The increases in cohydrolase level induced by the enzyme inhibitor persisted in both organs for at least seven days, reaching 61-70% above the normal level. Injection of emulsified galactocerebroside, sphingomyelin and mixed glucosphingolipids but not of ceramide also produced rises in cohydrolase level. An increase in cohydrolase level resulted from injection of phenylhydrazine, which produces hemolysis and consequently an increased workload for the glucosidase of liver. When the enzyme inhibitor and/or larger amounts of glucosylceramide emulsion were injected (750 mg/kg body weight), increases in liver weight of 13 to 37% appeared within one day. The increased weight was characterized by increases in the weights of protein, total lipid and DNA and a very high increase in glucosylceramide level. These procedures have produced a rapidly developing model version of Gaucher disease in mice. Injected glucocerebroside also induced an elevated level of glucosidase activity.

Uptake by neuroblastoma cells of glucosylceramide, glucosylceramide glucosidase, its stimulator protein, and phosphatidylserine

Serum-free cultured neuroblastoma cells (clone NlE-115) have been shown to absorb emulsified glucosylceramide, glucosylceramide glucosidase, an activator protein for the enzyme, and phosphatidylserine from a synthetic medium. Uptake of the enzyme was augmented by phosphatidylserine, and vice versa. Uptake of the enzyme-lipid complex was further augmented by the activator protein. It appears likely that the activator forms a complex only with the enzyme-lipid complex, not with the individual components. Two uptake mechanisms for the enzyme seem to be involved, one of which (the complex with activator proteins and acidic lipid) is sensitive to mannosyl phosphate groups. Hydrolysis of absorbed glucosylceramide was slow unless the medium was supplemented with the acidic phospholipid or glucosidase. The most rapid disappearance of stored glycolipid took place when the ternary mixture was added to the cell medium, enzyme + activator protein + phosphatidylserine. These findings may be relevant to enzyme replacement therapy for Gaucher disease.

Biosynthesis of the sulfatide/GM1 activator protein (SAP-1) in control and mutant cultured skin fibroblasts

Sphingolipid activator proteins (SAP) are relatively low-molecular-mass proteins that stimulate the hydrolysis of specific sphingolipids by the required lysosomal enzymes. SAP-1 or sulfatide/GM1 ganglioside activator protein has previously been demonstrated to stimulate the enzymatic hydrolysis of sulfatide, GM1 ganglioside and globotriaosylceramide. Using monospecific rabbit antibodies against human liver sulfatide/GM1 activator, the biosynthesis and processing of this activator were studied in cultured skin fibroblasts from controls and patients with GM1 gangliosidosis and a variant form of metachromatic leukodystrophy. When [35S]methionine was presented in the medium to control human fibroblasts for 4 h, the majority of the immunoprecipitable radiolabeling was confined to bands within three regions of apparent molecular mass 65-70, 35-52 and 8-13 kDa. The only immunoprecipitable radiolabeled species excreted into the medium when NH4Cl was present had an apparent molecular mass of 70 kDa. When the excretion products were given to fresh cells followed by incubation for up to 24 h there was production of the mature species. Treatment of the 70 kDa form with endoglycosidase F resulted in production of a 53 kDa molecular mass form. Pulse-chase experiments indicated that the initial immunoprecipitable translation product was 65 kDa which increased to 70 kDa over the next hour. The 65 kDa species must result from co-translational glycosylation of the polypeptide chain. Apparently, intralysosomal processing converts the 13 kDa form to the 8-11 kDa species. The cells from the patient with GM1 gangliosidosis could not process to the smallest species found in controls due to the deficiency of acid beta-galactosidase. Patients who have a variant form of metachromatic leukodystrophy do not make any immunoprecipitable radiolabeled products in the cells or in the media. This indicates a severe mutation in the gene coding for this activator protein. The production of such small mature species from a relatively large precursor form may regulate the production of this interesting protein.

Preliminary evidence for a processing error in the biosynthesis of Gaucher activator in mucolipidosis disease types II and III

Activator protein (AP), which stimulated fibroblast sphingomyelinase activity, was isolated from the spleen of a patient with Gaucher's disease type I by the combined techniques of heat and alcohol denaturation, DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, gel filtration, preparative polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and decyl-agarose chromatography. Urea/sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis showed two bands, one with an Mr of approx. 3,000 and the other with an Mr of 5,000-6,500. Similarly, SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis performed in the absence of urea revealed the presence of two components, one of which adsorbed to a concanavalin A (Con A) column. Both components stimulated sphingomyelinase activity. On a non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel containing Triton X-100, four major components, two of which bound to Con A, were detected with the dye Stains-All. Cross-reacting material (CRM) to polyclonal Gaucher spleen AP antibodies was detected in normal fibroblasts and in fibroblasts from patients with sphingomyelinase and beta-glucocerebrosidase deficiency states (Niemann-Pick and Gaucher's diseases respectively). CRM in normal fibroblasts adsorbed to Con A columns and had the same mobility on SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis as Con A-adsorbing Gaucher spleen AP. Normal AP was not observed in mucolipidosis type II (I-cell disease) fibroblasts; instead, extracts from these cells revealed the presence of two closely migrating bands with higher Mr values than normal fibroblast CRM. Furthermore, extracts of media from I-cell fibroblast cultures, but not from control or Gaucher fibroblast cultures, contained AP activity towards sphingomyelinase and beta-glucocerebrosidase. Fibroblasts from a patient with mucolipidosis type III (pseudo-Hurler polydystrophy) showed an intermediate pattern consisting of normal as well as the higher-Mr CRM. Our data provide evidence for the existence of AP in cultured skin fibroblasts and suggest that these proteins may be targetted to the lysosome by post-translational modification in a similar manner to that reported for lysosomal enzymes.