Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Inactivation of A-Methopterin by the Acetylating Enzyme System from Pigeon Liver

Nature volume 192, pages 68–69 (1961)Cite this article

Abstract

A-METHOPTERIN (4-amino-N10-methyl pteroyl glutamic acid) inhibits the growth of certain tumours1 as well as of many folic acid dependent microorganisms2. It is a powerful inhibitor of enzyme systems reducing folic acid to tetrahydrofolic acid3. Recent investigations4,5 have shown that A-methopterin inhibits acetylation of aromatic amines. Small quantities of A-methopterin have been found to decrease considerably the urinary excretion in mice of the acetylated aromatic amine formed from injected folic acid (unpublished results). Evidence presented here shows that A-methopterin is inactivated by the acetylating enzyme system of pigeon liver.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Petering, H. G., Physiol. Rev., 32, 197 (1952).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Franklin, A. L., Margaret, B., Stockstad, E. L. R., and Jukes, T. H., J. Biol. Chem., 177, 621 (1949).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Zakrzewski, S. F., and Nichol, C. A., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 27, 425 (1958).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Johnson, W., Corte, G., and Jasmin, R., Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med., 99, 677 (1958).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Jacobson, B. K., J. Biol. Chem., 235, 2713 (1960).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Methods of Vitamin Assay, The Association of Vitamin Chemists, Inc. (Interscience Publishers, New York, 1951).

  7. Chou, T. C., and Lipmann, F., J. Biol. Chem., 196, 89 (1952).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Jacobson, W., Chemistry and Biology of Pteridines, Ciba Foundation Symposium (J. and A. Churchill, London, 1954).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Fountain, J. R., Waring, J. B., Hutchison, D. J., and Burchenal, J. H., Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med., 81, 193 (1952).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Enzyme Chemistry Department, Indian Cancer Research Centre, Bombay

    V. KRISHNAMURTHY & BEATRIZ M. BRAGANCA

Authors
  1. V. KRISHNAMURTHY
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. BEATRIZ M. BRAGANCA
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

KRISHNAMURTHY, V., BRAGANCA, B. Inactivation of A-Methopterin by the Acetylating Enzyme System from Pigeon Liver. Nature 192, 68–69 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1038/192068a0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/192068a0

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing