Purification of human liver uridylyl transferase and comparison with the erythrocyte enzyme.

Uridylyl transferase (UDP glucose: alpha-D-galactose 1 phosphate uridylyl transferase, EC 2.7.7.12) has been purified 1350-fold from human liver to complete homogeneity. The purification procedure involved ammonium sulfate fractionation, batch treatment, chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, hexylagarose and hydroxylapatite. The specific activity of the homogeneous enzyme was 27 units/mg protein. The liver enzyme was compared to the red cell enzyme previously purified by us. The liver enzyme was similar to the red cell enzyme with respect to subunit molecular weight, kinetic studies and immunological properties. Differences in electrophoretic behaviour were found: the liver transferase has a more basic pI (between 5.5 and 5.8) than that of the erythrocyte enzyme (pI between 5.0 and 5.45). It is very likely that the liver uridylyl transferase and the red blood cell transferase are the same enzymes with post-translational modifications.