A sensitive method for measuring protein turnover based on the measurement of 2-3H-labelled amino acids in protein.
A method for measuring the rate of protein degradation is described. The method measures the change in 2-3H content of protein with time by racemization of the protein hydrolysate with acetic anhydride. The 3H on C-2 of amino acids is stable in proteins but becomes labile, owing to the action of transaminases, once the amino acids are released by proteolysis. The specific measurement of 2-3H in amino acids largely overcomes problems due to compartmentation and isotope recycling and evidence to support this claim is presented. Values for the half-life of Lemna minor (duckweed) protein determined by the new method are compared with values obtained by other methods.
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D008722:Methods; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014316:Tritium / Q000032:analysis*
D000596:Amino Acids; D010940:Plant Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D014316:Tritium