Phytanic acid alpha oxidation in rat liver: studies on alpha hydroxylation.

1. The alpha-hydroxylation of [1-14C]phytanic acid was investigated in the postnuclear fraction of rat liver. 2.

Characterization of phytol-phytanate conversion activity in rat liver.

The enzymatic conversion of phytol to phytanic acid was investigated in rat liver postnuclear and other subcellular fractions using [1-3H]phytol as the substrate. The assay method involved incubation of the substrate with appropriate cofactors and the enzyme source, followed by subjecting the mixture to Folch partition and measuring the radioactivity in the upper layer. The phytol-phytanate conversion activity was present in mitochondrial and microsomal fractions.

Phytanoyl-CoA ligase activity in rat liver.

The enzymatic activation of phytanic acid to phytanoyl-CoA by rat liver preparations was studied using [1-14C] phytanic acid. Subcellular fractionation studies indicated that phytanoyl-CoA ligase activity was present in both mitochondrial and microsomal fractions. The enzyme activity required ATP, Mg2+, and CoA in addition to phytanic acid.

In vitro conversion of phytol to phytanic acid in rat liver: subcellular distribution of activity and chemical characterization of intermediates using a new bromination technique.

The enzymatic conversion of phytol to phytanic acid has been demonstrated in vitro in rat liver. Subcellular fractionation indicated that the mitochondrial fraction possessed the highest activity. Substantial activity was also present in the microsomal fraction.