Enzymatic oxidation of bilirubin by intestinal mucosa.
Bilirubin oxidase, an aerobic enzyme which degrades bilirubin 'in vitro' to colourless diazo-negative compounds, including propentdyopents and trace amounts of biliverdin, has been demonstrated in homogenates of rat intestine, kidney and liver. The enzyme in the intestinal mucosa has been partially characterised and appears to be mitochondrial in origin; maximal activity was detected in the jejunum. Intestinal bilirubin oxidase has a mean activity of 0.51 +/- 0.03 (S.D.) nmol bilirubin degraded/min per mg protein. Similar bilirubin oxidase activities were found in the tissue of Sprague-Dawley and Gunn rats. The role of the enzyme 'in vivo' remains to be determined.
D000818:Animals; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology*; D007583:Jejunum / Q000201:enzymology; D007668:Kidney / Q000201:enzymology; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism*; D044925:Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000201:enzymology
D010088:Oxidoreductases; D044925:Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors; C042401:bilirubin oxidase; D001663:Bilirubin