A method for the characterization of two similar B-esterases present in the chicken central nervous system

Abstract

A method is described whereby from the relationship between concentration of di-isopropyl phosphorofluori-date (DFP) and esteratic activity of chicken brain against phenyl phenyl-acetate and phenyl 3-phenylpropionate, the ratio of the rates of hydrolysis of the 2 substrates by the major esterase components may be calculated. The results have been confirmed by a qualitative fractionation on DEAE-cellulose. Chicken brain contains 2 esterases one much more sensitive to DEP and NN[image]-di-isopropyl phosphorodiamidic fluoride (mipafox) and hydrolysing the phenylacetate faster than the phenylpro-pionate (phenylpropionate/phenylacetate ratio, 0.05) and the other hydrolysing the phenylpropionate faster than the phenylacetate (phenylpropionate/phenylacetate ratio, 9.75).