ACID HYDROLASES IN THE HUMAN EPIDERMIS

Abstract

α‐ and β‐D‐glucosidases, β‐D‐glucuronidase, α‐ and β‐D‐mannosidases, α‐and β‐D‐glucosidases, β‐D‐fucosidase, α‐L‐fucosidase and β‐D‐Nacetyglucosaminidase activities were measured in the human epidermis using p‐nitrophenol and 4‐methylumbelliferone compounds as substrates. There was no appreciable difference in activities noted when both substrates were compared. Acid phosphatase was assayed with p‐nitrophenol phosphate and α‐naphthyl acid phosphate as substrates. Acid phosphatase seemed to be present, both free in the cytoplasm and in lysosomes. These 2 activities could not be differentiated by agarose electrophoresis (both fractions showed 2 anodally migrating bands). Some of the biochemical properties of these acid hydrolases from the normal human epidermis are presented.