Preparation of32P-labelled adenosine triphosphate

Abstract

A descr. is given of a simple laboratory method of preparing P32-labelled adenosine triphosphate ([beta:gamma- P322] ATP). It rests on the rapid exchange between inorganic phosphate and the beta and gamma phosphate of adenosine triphosphate by respiring heart-muscle prepns. Non-isotopic adenosine triphosphate and KH2P32O4 are incubated with a heart-muscle suspension. The labelled adenosine triphosphate is successively precipitated as the Ba and Hg salt and finally purified by paper chromatography. The product (3.5 mg. adenosine triphosphate) contained between 0.1 and 0.2 mc. radioactivity. Of the total activity 77% was in adenosine triphosphate, 11% in adenosine diphosphate and 12% in ortho-phosphate; of the total P 80% was in adenosine triphosphate, 13% in adenosine diphosphate and 7% in orthophosphate.