In vitro enzymatic conversion of pantothenylcysteine-4'-phosphate into cysteamine
Duprè, S.; Granata, F.; Santoro, L.; Scandurra, R.; Federici, G.; Cavallini, D.
Italian Journal of Biochemistry 24(6): 269-276
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-2938 PMID: 1218969 Document Number: 94431
In vivo production of taurine can not proceed from cysteine via the action of cysteinsulphinic acid-decarboxylase in those mammalian organs where this enzymatic activity is absent, such as heart. The possibility of existence of another metabolic way is strengthened by the experimental finding that, in vitro, cysteamine is obtained from pantothenylcysteine-4'-phosphate through the combined action of two mammalian enzymes, i.e. pantothenylcysteine-4'-phosphate decarboxylase and pantetheinase, used in partially purified forms. This new route should be related to the known biosynthetic pathway of CoA.