N-acetylation of drugs. Observations on the properties of partially purified N-acetyltransferase from peripheral blood of rabbit.

A method is described for the partial purification of N-acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.5) from peripheral blood of rabbit. This enzyme purified from both rapid- and slow-ioniazid-acetylator phenotype rabbits was examined with regard to stability, substrate specificity, cation effect, rate of inactivation, temperature and pH optimum. Data show that in the biochemical characteristics examined the enzyme is independent of acetylator phenotype. The possible significance of these findings to the evolutionary origin of drug-acetylating enzymes in rabbit blood and liver is discussed.