Comparison of 5'-nucleotidase activities of isolated plasma membranes of two ascites cell variants.

The glycogen-containing ascites cell line was found to have a 3-5 times higher 5'-nucleotidase specific activity than the glycogen-free variant, resulting in different substrate affinity constants of Km = 0.14 mM and Km = 0.69 mM respectively. These activity differences were due to true 5'-nucleotidase as shown by its inactivation through specific inhibitors such as concanavalin A and alpha, beta-methylene adenosine diphosphate. Substrate specificity of the enzyme was similar in both cell lines, but differences were observed with respect to the pH optimum and stability.