Characterization of an unusual isoenzyme of N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase from a human colonic carcinoma cell line.

A sub-line with increased metastatic ability was previously isolated from an established human colonic carcinoma cell line [Kimball & Brattain (1980) Cancer Res. 40, 1574-1579]. The separation and characterization of the isoenzymes of N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase from each cell line are reported. The parental cell line contained A and B isoenzymes. The sub-line lacked the A-isoenzyme activity and contained an atypical B isoenzyme that was thermolabile, susceptible to alkylation and of lower molecular weight.