Immunoelectrophoretic studies on human small intestinal brush border proteins. A quantitative study of brush border enzymes from single small intestinal biopsies.

A method for measuring brush border membrane enzymes from small intestinal biopsies by crossed immunoelectrophoresis is presented. The use of a brush border specific antiserum made isolation of the brush border membrane before analysis unnecessary. This prevented loss of material which, together with inactivation of enzymes, was a limiting factor in previous studies of brush border enzymes from peroral biopsies. In 58 biopsies from patients without gastrointestinal disorders a close correlation between antigenic activity and corresponding enzymatic activity was shown for the following enzymes: sucrase-isomaltase (EC 3.2.1.48-EC 3.2.1.10), lactase-phlorizin hydrolase (EC 3.2.1.23-EC 3.2.1.62), microvillus aminopeptidase (microsomal, EC 3.4.11.2) and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (EC 3.4.14.X). The immunoelectrophoretic patterns of intestinal mucosa near the ligament of Treitz, and in jejunum and ileum were established. The method presented is thought to be of value in further studies of the molecular basis of brush border diseases.