Nature 186, 717 - 718 (28 May 1960); doi:10.1038/186717a0

Development of 5-Hydroxytryptophan Decarboxylase Activity in Rat Kidney

IRENE HUANG, SHEILA TANNENBAUM & DAVID YI-YUNG HSIA

Genetic Clinic, Children's Memorial Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois.

THE studies of Udenfriend and his co-workers¹ indicate that tryptophan is first oxidized to 5-hydroxytryptophan and then decarboxylated, resulting in the formation of 5-hydroxytryptamine. The latter reaction requires the presence of a specific enzyme, 5-hydroxytryptophan decarboxylase². The purpose of the present communication is to describe the development of this enzyme system in the kidneys of ftal, new-born, and adult rats.

References

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