Abstract
Summary: The development of hepatic cystathionase (EC 4.4.1.1) activity is dependent both upon the gestational age of the infant and the postnatal age. Full-term infants are born with greater hepatic cystathionase activity than pre-term infants, and the activity increases rapidly after birth reaching mature levels at about 3 months of age. Prematurely born infants have lower hepatic cystathionase activity at birth and like the full-term, the activity increases after birth. Cystathionase activity is not isolated to the liver. In both premature and full-term infants, it is present in the kidneys and adrenals, but of little significance in the pancreas. These in vitro measurements of cystathionase activity indicate that the premature infant is potentially capable of endogenous cysteine production if provided with adequate methionine.
Speculation: We postulate that, if given adequate methionine, the preterm infant may have sufficient cystathionase capacity to produce cysteine in amounts adequate to meet estimated needs.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zlotkin, S., Anderson, G. The Development of Cystathionase Activity During the First Year of Life. Pediatr Res 16 (Suppl 1), 65–68 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198201001-00013
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198201001-00013
This article is cited by
-
Microbial l-methioninase: production, molecular characterization, and therapeutic applications
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (2010)
-
Mechanisms of Disease: update on the molecular etiology and fundamentals of parenteral nutrition associated cholestasis
Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology (2007)