Pyridoxal phosphate as the coenzyme of the mammalian decarboxylase for l-cysteine sulphinic and l-cysteic acids

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Abstract
The de-carboxylation of L-cysteic and L-cysteine sulfinic acids by extracts of mammalian liver was studied; the evidence reported suggests that one enzyme is responsible for the decarboxylation of both of these amino acids. Enzymic activity is rapidly lost in pyridoxine-deficient rats; reactivation by the addition of pyridoxal-5-phosphate in vitro was obtained in the early stages of the deficiency; this observation establishes pyridoxal phosphate as the coenzyme of the decarboxylase. The biosynthesis of taurine is discussed in the light of these findings.