Gamma Glutamyl Carboxypeptidase (Conjugase), the Folic Acid-Releasing Enzyme of Intestinal Mucosa

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Abstract
Studies in vitro and in vivo of human and guinea pig intestinal conjugase demonstrated species differences in pH optima. The buffer used for conjugase activity affected both enzyme activity and pH optima. Diphenylhydantoin was not found to inhibit intestinal conjugase whereas BSP was inhibitory. Deoxycholic and chenodeoxycholic acids were also strongly inhibitory. The observation that certain unconjugated bile acids inhibited intestinal conjugase suggests the hypothesis that a metabolite(s) produced by bacterial proliferation may lead to intestinal conjugase inhibition with resultant malabsorption of dietary folate. This could account for nutritional folate deficiency seen in tropical sprue.