A SPECIFIC AND SENSITIVE ENZYMATIC-ISOTOPIC MICROASSAY FOR SEROTONIN IN TISSUES

摘要: A sensitive and specific enzymatic-isotopic micromethod for the determination of serotonin in animal tissues is described. The assay can measure as little 50 pg serotonin. Organ extracts are incubated with acetyl coenzyme rat liver N-acetyltransferase (ES 2.3.1.5) to acetylate seratonin then 3 H-methyl-S-adenosyl-1-methionine pineal hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase 2.1.1.4), an enzyme that specifically O-methybates N-acetylserotonin. Under conditions assay, H-melationin only radioactive product formed detectable amounts from substrates extracted tissue. Melatonin produced direct proportion added incubation mixture. With this endogenous content small brain regions nuclei be measured.