Alpha naphthyl acetate esterase in human blood cells with different molecular weights

Normal human blood cells contain esterases which hydrolyze α-naphthyl acetate (αNA). Purified preparations of these cells were investigated by polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis at pH 9.0 and subsequent staining of gels for esterase activity. Extractable αNA esterase was separated according to molecular weight.