THE BIOCHEMICAL CONVERSION OF 2-HYDROXY-4-METHYLTHIOBUTYRIC ACID INTO METHIONINE BY THE RAT IN VITRO.

1. The conversion of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobarbituric acid into methionine requires a flavine coenzyme, which can be partially replaced by NAD or NADP, and glutamine, which can be partially replaced by asparagine. The system also requires aerobic conditions. 2. There does not appear to be a requirement for a metal ion: Mn(2+) is slightly inhibitory and Cu(2+) is strongly inhibitory. 3. Of the kidney, liver, brain, small intestine and muscle, the kidney possesses the greatest conversion activity/g. of tissue, but on a total organ basis the liver is the more important organ. Within the liver cells most of the activity is present in the supernatant fraction.