Intracellular Distribution of 5' Nucleotidase in Rat Liver

Abstract

The intracellular distribution of 5' nucleotidase was investigated in rat liver by biochemical analysis of cell fractions obtained by differential centrifugation. The enzymatic activity was measured by determination of the inorganic phosphorus liberated from 5' nucleotides. The 5' nucleotidase activity was mainly found in the nuclear and microsomal fractions. An attempt to extract the enzyme from these fractions with Mg(++) ion solutions was unsuccessful. It is concluded that 5' nucleotidase is actually present in the nuclear and microsomal fractions of rat liver cells.