Developmental changes in the sucrase-isomaltase complex in rat intestinal mucosa.

Developmental changes in sucaras-isomaltase complex formation were investigated in intestinal mucosal homogenates and brush border membranes of 15-day-old, 18-day-old and adult rats using Sephadex G-200 column chromatography and polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis. Disaccharidases were solubilized by papain treatment. The molecular weight of the complex did not change during development, however, the activity ratio of sucrase to isomaltase increased during development. Furthermore, a significant amount of free isomaltase, which was probably not to be derived from intestinal brush border membrane, was detected before the weanling.