Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase activity in bovine adrenal medulla and blood platelets: a comparative study with the brain enzyme.

In the present paper we report the presence of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) in bovine adrenal medulla and blood platelets. Both enzymes present some analogies with the brain enzyme in terms of cofactor requirements, optimal pH, mitochondrial localizaton and inhibition by AMP. However, the activity of the platelet enzyme is 100 times lower than that of the brain and affinities of both enzymes for their specific substrate succinic semialdehyde and NAD are different. The presence of SSADH in adrenal medulla and blood platelets allows us to confirm the presence of a complete GABA bypass in these tissues, where the neurotransmitter could have important regulator functions.