Creatine phosphokinase in rat mast cells.

The soluble cytoplasmic fraction of an homogenate from peritoneal rat mast cells, demonstrated a considerable amount of catalytic activity which promotes the transfer of phosphate from creatine phosphate to ADP. The plasma membrane, mitochondrial and microsomal fractions show negligible amounts of the catalyst. Enzyme activity is maximal at 37 degrees showing little activity below 17 degrees or above 45 degrees. The enzyme is strongly Mg2+-dependent, whereas it is only slightly activated by Ca2+. pH values between 7 and 8 are optimal and the enzyme is irreversibly inactivated below pH 4. The overall behaviour of the catalyst indicates it to be a creatine phosphokinase (CPK), an enzyme considered important to muscle and nerve tissues. The CPK is probably not encapsulated within the mast cells' perigranular membranes and is retained in the soluble cytoplasm during exocytosis. The possible role of CPK, as to whether it is assisting in maintaining proper levels of intracellular ATP during exocytosis, and/or whether it is associated with components of the mast cells' contractile apparatus, is discussed.