title: A quantitative cytochemical method for ornithine decarboxylase activity.
abstract: Although decarboxylases, particularly ornithine decarboxylase, are of considerable importance in cell metabolism, it has been impossible to demonstrate their activity histochemically, as this depends on trapping carbon dioxide at neutral pH values. A new reagent, lead hydroxyisobutyrate, has been shown capable of such trapping. It has been applied to the demonstration of ornithine decarboxylase activity in mouse kidney. Optimal concentrations of substrate, co-factor and trapping agent, as well as the pH optimum, have been determined for cryostat sections stabilized with a collagen polypeptide. The activity was inhibited by the specific ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor alpha-difluoromethyl ornithine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Dodds
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Pitsillides
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Frost
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D000518:Eflornithine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry / Q000379:methods; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000201:enzymology*; D007686:Kidney Tubules, Distal / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase / Q000032:analysis*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D013739:Testosterone; C008039:2-hydroxyisobutyric acid; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase; D000518:Eflornithine