Glycogen in human peripheral blood leukocytes: <i>II. The macromolecular state of leukocyte glycogen</i>

Robert B. Scott; W. J. S. Still

doi:10.1172/JCI105731

Glycogen in human peripheral blood leukocytes: II. The macromolecular state of leukocyte glycogen

Robert B. Scott and W. J. S. Still

Published February 1, 1968 - More info

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Abstract

Glycogen of normal human blood leukocytes was studied in cell suspensions containing chiefly neutrophiles.

In electron micrographs of neutrophiles stained with lead the glycogen particles appear to be relatively uniform with a diameter of 20 mμ. At high magnification the 20 mμ particle appears to be composed of at least eight subunits.

Leukocyte glycogen released by lysis or homogenization sediments as a single peak of high molecular weight material. The great majority of the cell glycogen can be accounted for in the large molecular weight material. The large molecular weight material is degraded to small fragments by α-amylase and partially degraded by β-amylase. Purification of cell glycogen by alkali extraction and ethanol precipitation produces a relatively uniform particle smaller than the original native macromolecule.

Native glycogen was prepared in pure form by a sucrose density gradient technique and its purity demonstrated by its susceptibility to purified α-amylase and by analytical ultracentrifugation.

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