Abstract
Methods for the identification of urocanic acid (beta-4(5)-glyoxalinylacrylic acid) based on its u.-v. absorption spectrum and on its separation from other iminazole derivatives by partition chromatography were described. No urocanic acid was observed in fresh liver homogenates or extracts from acetone-dried powders obtained from aqueous extracts of liver. An enzyme histidine alpha-deaminase, capable of producing urocanic acid from histidine, was, however, shown to be present in such aqueous extracts. The enzyme had an optimum pH of 7.8 and was completely inhibited by the product of its reaction.

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit: