The ontogeny of L-alpha-hydroxyacid oxidase isozymes in the mouse

Lysine metabolism in mammalian brain: an update on the importance of recent discoveries

The lysine catabolism pathway differs in adult mammalian brain from that in extracerebral tissues. The saccharopine pathway is the predominant lysine degradative pathway in extracerebral tissues, whereas the pipecolate pathway predominates in adult brain. The two pathways converge at the level of ∆(1)-piperideine-6-carboxylate (P6C), which is in equilibrium with its open-chain aldehyde form, namely, α-aminoadipate δ-semialdehyde (AAS). A unique feature of the pipecolate pathway is the formation of the cyclic ketimine intermediate ∆(1)-piperideine-2-carboxylate (P2C) and its reduced metabolite L-pipecolate. A cerebral ketimine reductase (KR) has recently been identified that catalyzes the reduction of P2C to L-pipecolate. The discovery that this KR, which is capable of reducing not only P2C but also other cyclic imines, is identical to a previously well-described thyroid hormone-binding protein [μ-crystallin (CRYM)], may hold the key to understanding the biological relevance of the pipecolate pathway and its importance in the brain. The finding that the KR activity of CRYM is strongly inhibited by the thyroid hormone 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) has far-reaching biomedical and clinical implications. The inter-relationship between tryptophan and lysine catabolic pathways is discussed in the context of shared degradative enzymes and also potential regulation by thyroid hormones. This review traces the discoveries of enzymes involved in lysine metabolism in mammalian brain. However, there still remain unanswered questions as regards the importance of the pipecolate pathway in normal or diseased brain, including the nature of the first step in the pathway and the relationship of the pipecolate pathway to the tryptophan degradation pathway.

Development of peroxisomes in amphibians. II. Cytochemical and biochemical studies on the liver, kidney, and pancreas

The ontogeny of catalase-containing organelles was studied by cytochemical and biochemical methods in the liver, kidney, and pancreas during the development of Rana catesbeiana. The biochemical differentiation of peroxisome in the liver and kidney was compared to that of Xenopus laevis. Catalase activity was localized after incubation in DAB medium and studied biochemically by a spectrophotometric method. In Rana Catesbeiana the number of catalase-positive organelles per cell section is low in all three organs during premetamorphosis; their number increases substantially in the liver and kidney of froglets, while it remains almost stable in the pancreas. No further increase is observed in the adult. Biochemically, the liver, kidney, and pancreas of tadpoles exhibit, respectively, 12,22 and 63% of the catalase activity found in the adult tissues. After metamorphosis an important increase of catalase activity is particularly noted in liver and kidney, the activity being, respectively, 43 and 77% of that of adult bullfrogs. On the other hand, no change in catalase activity in the liver and kidney is noted during the entire development of Xenopus laevis. The present study illustrates the very different developmental pattern of catalase activity observed during the development of two anuran amphibians. The different development pattern of the same enzyme within the small intestine, liver, kidney, and pancreas in Rana catesbeiana is also stressed.

L-alpha-Hydroxyacid oxidase isozymes. Purification and molecular properties

L-alpha-Hydroxyacid oxidase isozymes from rat liver (A isozyme) and kidney (B isozyme) have been isolated in a high state of purity with specific activities of 61 and 14.7 microkatals per gram protein respectively. The subunit molecular weights determined by sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were 40000 +/- 3000; the mouse A and B isozymes were also partially purified and their subunit molecular weights shown to be 37000.