Synthesis of Cerebronic Acid from Lignoceric Acid by Rat Brain Preparation

摘要: SUMMARY The conversion of [I-Wllignoceric acid (tetracosanoic acid) into cerebronic (Z-hydroxytetracosanoic by a cell-free preparation rat brain was investigated. a-hydroxylating enzyme required molecular oxygen, Mg++, pyridine nucleotides, and heat stable water soluble cofactor. activity had pH optimum ‘7.8, the K, value for lignoceric found to be 4.2 pM. presence CO did not inhibit activity. Except Mgf+, all heavy divalent metal ions were strongly inhibitory. EDTA also nucleotides DPNH TPNH equally effective in producing full activity; their oxidized forms less effective. product detected only as component ceramide or cerebroside free CoA ester. There no detectable during first 6 days after birth, but rapid increase noted between ages 8 21 days. Activity attained maximum rats 28 old then gradually decreased until an age 85 reached. cerebellum have greatest No ol-hydroxylating any extraneural tissues studied. 2-Hydroxy fatty acids, small amounts certain yeasts, bacteria, mammalian (l), are uniquely abundant nervous system. 2hpdroxy acids system consist mainly both saturated monounsaturated compounds with chain length 22 26 carbon atoms. They contain unusually high concentration odd-numbered acids. exclusively cerebrosides sulfatides, which considered characteristic myelin lipids. Their very rapidly period active myelination more slowly later life animal (2).