The Synthesis of Taurine from Sulfate VIII. The Effect of Potassium 1

Abstract

Summary

The in vitro and in vivo influence of K+ on the activity of rat heart and liver PAPS-sulfotransferase (P₁) was tested. The P₁ activity was optimal with 0.5 μmoles K+ per μg protein. The P₁ activity was decreased by mild dialysis and lost by extended dialysis. The enzyme was stable when dialyzed with K+ and tests with other ions indicated K+ specificity. Rats fed purified diets with low, normal or high levels of K+ had significantly different heart taurine concentrations and P₁ specific activities. These Pi specific activities became comparable to those from the rats receiving the normal K+ diet by the addition of KC1 to the assay mixture.