Beta-glucuronidase isozyme patterns of experimental hepatomas of rats.

Beta-Glucuronidase isozymes in rat tissues were separated by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate membranes. Using this method, beta-glucuronidase isozyme patterns were studied in normal rat liver and experimental hepatomas with different growth rates. Changes of isozyme patterns during postnatal development were also studied in rat liver. Normal rat liver contained six types of beta-glucuronidase, numbered I to VI in order to decreasing mobility to the cathode. Type II beta-glucuronidase stained most intensely and was detected in all the cells examined. The isozyme patterns of Morris hepatomas, which are slowly growing and not highly deviated, resembled that of normal rat liver but lacked definite Type III beta-glucuronidase. Yoshida ascites hepatomas, which are rapidly growing and highly deviated, contained only Type II, but some had Types II, V, and VI beta-glucuronidase. Embryonal liver just before birth contained only Type II, but with increase in activity during development after birth, minor bands of Type I and Types III to VI beta-glucuronidase appeared successively to complete the adult pattern.