STUDIES ON b-GLUCURONIDASE* I. A METHOD OF PREPARATION AND PURIFICATION BY W. H. FISHMAN

The preparation of an extract from animal tissues containing an enzyme specific for the hydrolysis of &glucuronides was first described by Masamune (1). Oshima (2,3) later studied the distribution of this enzyme in the tissues of the dog and the ox and improved the method of preparation of active extracts. At the suggestion of Professor G. F. Marrian an investigation was undertaken to determine whether this enzyme might be concerned with the synthesis of estriol glucuronide in the female organism. Furthermore, it was suggested that the hydrolysis of conjugated sex hormones in human urine for assay purposes by a potent preparation of the enzyme might prove to be more efficient than hydrolysis by mineral acids. As a preliminary to the main problems in this investigation, a study of the methods of preparation and the properties of /3-glucuronidase has been made. The present paper deals mainly with a description of the methods of preparation of the enzyme. Further, experiments designed to indicate the possible r61e of the enzyme in the detoxification of glucuronogenic substances by the mammalian organism are now in progress and will be reported at a later date.