氮添加对毛竹林土壤酸性磷酸单酯酶动力学参数的影响

土壤磷酸酶在有机磷矿化和磷循环过程中发挥着重要作用,然而,土壤磷酸酶响应氮(N)沉降的动力学机制仍不清楚。本研究在亚热带毛竹林中设置对照(0)、20(低氮)、40(中氮)和80 g N·hm^-2·a^-1(高氮)4种不同氮添加处理,在氮添加满3年、5年和7年时采集0～15 cm土层土壤样本,测定了土壤化学性质、微生物生物量,并分析了酸性磷酸单酯酶(ACP)的最大反应速率(V_m)、半饱和常数(K_m)和催化效率(K_a)。结果表明: 氮添加显著降低了土壤可溶性有机碳、有效磷和有机磷含量,显著增加了土壤铵态氮、硝态氮含量和V_m,且V_m与有效磷、有机磷和可溶性有机碳含量存在显著相关关系;总体上,氮添加显著提高了K_a;除了在氮添加满5年时高氮处理下K_m显著高于对照外,氮添加对K_m无显著影响,且K_m与有效磷和有机磷含量有显著负相关关系。中、高氮处理对ACP动力学参数的影响大于低氮处理。方差分解分析表明,土壤化学性质的变化而非微生物学性质的变化主导了V_m(47%)和K_m(33%)的变化。总之,氮添加显著影响了毛竹林土壤的基质有效性,通过调控ACP动力学参数(尤其是V_m)进而影响了土壤磷循环。本研究有助于了解氮素富集下土壤微生物调节土壤磷循环的潜在机制,并为全球变化下土壤磷循环模型优化提供重要参数。     

北京山区不同植被类型的土壤呼吸特征及其温度敏感性

土壤呼吸作为陆地生态系统碳循环的重要组成部分,是生态系统碳循环研究中的热点问题.土壤呼吸温度敏感性(Q₁₀)是估算土壤呼吸对全球变暖的反馈参数,研究不同植被类型的Q₁₀对评估森林生态系统碳收支具有重要意义.本研究以北京山区典型植被类型侧柏、油松和栓皮栎为研究对象,通过测定生长季内3种植被类型的土壤理化性质、土壤水热因素以及土壤呼吸速率(R_s)的变化,探究不同植被类型下的土壤呼吸特征及温度敏感性.结果表明:3种主要植被类型的R_s在生长季内与土壤温度、湿度的变化趋势相似,均呈现先升高后降低的单峰变化,R_s在4月初最低(0.45 μmol·m^-2·s^-1),随后逐渐增大,在7月初达到峰值(3.95 μmol·m^-2·s^-1),然后逐渐降低,3种植被类型的R_s和Q₁₀值均存在显著差异.土壤温度和湿度是土壤呼吸的重要影响因素,两者与R_s拟合的回归模型可以解析土壤呼吸速率48.1%～56.7%的变化.北京山区的Q₁₀值在2.05～3.19,在同一植被类型下,Q₁₀值与土壤有机碳含量呈显著负相关(R²>0.9),植被类型、海拔和土壤有机碳含量是造成不同植被类型Q₁₀值差异的重要原因.     

林木非同化器官与土壤呼吸的温度系数Q10值的特征分析

温度系数(Q₁₀,温度每变化10 ℃,呼吸速率的相对变化)不仅可以用来描述不同森林非同化器官(根系和树干)和土壤对温度升高的敏感性,并由此断定它们在全球变暖进程中的不同表现,而且是其呼吸总量定量估计中必不可少的参数。虽然目前已经进行了大量的研究,但不同研究者结论并不一致,影响我们对问题的整体把握。因此,有必要综合以往文献进行统计分析。该文综合大量文献,评述了林木非同化器官和土壤的Q₁₀值频率分布、不同研究方法对Q₁₀值的可能影响并探讨了它们对温度升高的敏感性。结果表明,不同非同化器官和土壤的Q₁₀值差异较大,但具有相对稳定的分布中心范围。其中,土壤呼吸Q₁₀值中,频率分布最集中的区域是2.0~2.5,占23%,其中超过80%的测定结果在1.0~4.0之间,中位数为2.74。 根系呼吸的Q₁₀值,频率分布最集中的区域2.5~3.0,占33%,而大部分(>80%)的研究结果在1.5~3.0之间,中位数为2.40。树干呼吸的Q₁₀值中,频率分布最集中的区域是1.5~2.0,占42%,而90%以上的测定结果在1.0~3.0之间,中位数为1.91。通过对比,发现不同非同化器官Q₁₀值不同(树干<根系<根系与土壤共同体<去除根系土壤)。其中树干和根系的Q₁₀值显著低于去除根系土壤的Q₁₀值(p<0.05),表明土壤微生物活动对于未来全球变暖的反应要比木质化器官更敏感。此外,常绿植物的根系和树干呼吸的Q₁₀值与落叶树木对应值差异不显著,说明同化器官叶片的着生时间长短对非同化器官Q₁₀的影响不大。不同的CO₂分析方法(碱吸收法,红外线测定技术和气相色谱方法)对土壤呼吸Q₁₀值测定结果的影响不显著(p>0.10),根系分离方法(断根测定和壕沟隔断测定)也对根系呼吸的Q₁₀值影响也不显著(p>0.10)。但是,与活体测定相比,离体测定树干呼吸显著提高了其Q₁₀值。总体来看,不同林分相同非同化器官以及不同非同化器官呼吸的Q₁₀值相对稳定但仍具有较大的差异性,研究方法也对结果产生一定影响,在进行呼吸总量的定量估计中应该注意这一点。今后研究的重点是进一步把影响森林非同化器官呼吸的外在因素和内在因素综合考虑于Q₁₀值相关模型中,以便准确定量估计其呼吸总量,而研究难点是深入研究Q₁₀值具有较大变异性的原因(如温度适应性)和内在机理以便更好的表征不同器官和生态系统组分对全球变暖的敏感性。     

棉铃虫在变温环境中发育起点温度的研究

本文提出一个估计在变温环境中昆虫发育起点温度的新方法.该法能充分利用生物学资料中的信息.它通过运用优选法来减少搜索过程中发育起点温度T₀的变化次数, 而它的目标函数是方差.该法还通过引入如下一个当T₀变化时累计日度的变换方法来减少计算工作量.(1)当T_s≥T_max时, K_s=0;(2)当T_s≤T_min时, K_s=K₀-(T_s-T₀)·N;(3)当T_minsmax时, K_s=[K₀-(T_min-T₀)·N)(1-N·Q), 其中Q=0.00669024+1.70477P-0.701654P², P=(T_s-Tmin)/(T_max-T_min).这里T_s和K_s是变换后相应的发育起点温度和累计日度, T_max和T_min是最高和最低温度, N是发育阶段的平均历期. 我们用该法估计了棉铃虫的发育起点温度.结果表明卵期的发育起点温度是9.42674℃幼虫期是12.2702℃, 蛹期为14.2365℃.相应的累计积温是31.5416, 200.782和129.61日度.     

Spatial variation and controlling factors of temperature sensitivity of soil respiration in forest ecosystems across China

土壤呼吸的温度敏感性(Q₁₀)是陆地碳循环与气候系统间相互作用的关键参数。尽管已有大量关于不同类型森林Q₁₀季节和年际变化规律的研究, 但是对Q₁₀在区域尺度的空间变异特征及其影响因素仍认识不足, 已有结果缺乏一致结论。该研究通过整合已发表论文, 构建了中国森林生态系统年尺度Q₁₀数据集, 共包含399条记录、5种森林类型(落叶阔叶林(DBF)、落叶针叶林(DNF)、常绿阔叶林(EBF)、常绿针叶林(ENF)、混交林(MF))。分析了不同森林类型Q₁₀的空间变异特征及其与地理、气候和土壤因素的关系。结果显示, 1) Q₁₀介于1.09到6.24之间, 平均值(±标准误差)为2.37 (± 0.04), 且在不同森林类型之间无显著差异; 2)当考虑所有森林类型时, Q₁₀随纬度、海拔、土壤有机碳含量(SOC)和土壤全氮含量(TN)的增加而增大, 随经度、年平均气温(MAT)、平均年降水量(MAP)的增加而减小。气候(MAT、MAP)和土壤(SOC、TN)因素间存在相互作用, 共同解释了33%的Q₁₀空间变异, 其中MAT和SOC是Q₁₀空间变异的主要驱动因素; 3)不同类型森林Q₁₀对气候和土壤因素的响应存在差异。在DNF中Q₁₀随MAP的增加而减小, 而其他类型森林中Q₁₀与MAP无显著相关性; 在EBF、DBF、ENF中Q₁₀随TN的增加而增大, 但Q₁₀对TN的敏感性在EBF中最高, 在ENF中最低。这些结果表明, 尽管Q₁₀有一定的集中分布趋势, 但仍有较大范围的空间变异, 在进行碳收支估算时应注意尺度问题。Q₁₀的主要驱动因素和Q₁₀对环境因素的响应随森林类型而变化, 在气候变化情景下, 不同森林类型间Q₁₀可能发生分异。因此, 未来的碳循环-气候模型还应考虑不同类型森林碳循环关键参数对气候变化的响应差异。     

中国森林生态系统土壤呼吸温度敏感性空间变异特征及影响因素

土壤呼吸的温度敏感性(Q₁₀)是陆地碳循环与气候系统间相互作用的关键参数。尽管已有大量关于不同类型森林Q₁₀季节和年际变化规律的研究, 但是对Q₁₀在区域尺度的空间变异特征及其影响因素仍认识不足, 已有结果缺乏一致结论。该研究通过整合已发表论文, 构建了中国森林生态系统年尺度Q₁₀数据集, 共包含399条记录、5种森林类型(落叶阔叶林(DBF)、落叶针叶林(DNF)、常绿阔叶林(EBF)、常绿针叶林(ENF)、混交林(MF))。分析了不同森林类型Q₁₀的空间变异特征及其与地理、气候和土壤因素的关系。结果显示, 1) Q₁₀介于1.09到6.24之间, 平均值(±标准误差)为2.37 (± 0.04), 且在不同森林类型之间无显著差异; 2)当考虑所有森林类型时, Q₁₀随纬度、海拔、土壤有机碳含量(SOC)和土壤全氮含量(TN)的增加而增大, 随经度、年平均气温(MAT)、平均年降水量(MAP)的增加而减小。气候(MAT、MAP)和土壤(SOC、TN)因素间存在相互作用, 共同解释了33%的Q₁₀空间变异, 其中MAT和SOC是Q₁₀空间变异的主要驱动因素; 3)不同类型森林Q₁₀对气候和土壤因素的响应存在差异。在DNF中Q₁₀随MAP的增加而减小, 而其他类型森林中Q₁₀与MAP无显著相关性; 在EBF、DBF、ENF中Q₁₀随TN的增加而增大, 但Q₁₀对TN的敏感性在EBF中最高, 在ENF中最低。这些结果表明, 尽管Q₁₀有一定的集中分布趋势, 但仍有较大范围的空间变异, 在进行碳收支估算时应注意尺度问题。Q₁₀的主要驱动因素和Q₁₀对环境因素的响应随森林类型而变化, 在气候变化情景下, 不同森林类型间Q₁₀可能发生分异。因此, 未来的碳循环-气候模型还应考虑不同类型森林碳循环关键参数对气候变化的响应差异。     

Soil C mineralization and temperature sensitivity in alpine grasslands of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

青藏高原具有独特的海拔、气候和生态系统类型, 弄清其土壤有机质分解及其温度敏感性对于揭示青藏高原土壤碳储量变化及其碳汇功能具有重要意义。该文利用青藏高原西北部草地的11个封育-自由放牧成对草地, 通过测定不同温度(5、10、15、20和25 ℃)培养下的土壤碳矿化速率, 探讨了土地利用方式对该地区土壤碳矿化及其温度敏感性的影响。实验结果表明: 温度对青藏高原高寒草地的土壤碳矿化具有显著影响, 温度越高土壤碳矿化量越大。从东至西, 土壤碳矿化量逐渐降低。草地土壤碳矿化量与土壤有机碳和土壤全氮含量显著正相关; 即土壤有机碳和土壤全氮含量越高, 土壤碳矿化量就越高。土地利用方式对土壤碳矿化的温度敏感性(Q₁₀)无显著影响, Q₁₀值变化范围为1.4-2.4; 其中, 放牧草地Q₁₀的平均值为1.83, 封育草地Q₁₀的平均值为1.86。此外, Q₁₀与土壤有机碳和土壤全氮含量无显著的相关关系, 也无明显的空间格局。放牧和封育对青藏高原高寒草地土壤碳矿化的温度敏感性无显著影响, 为深入分析青藏高原土壤碳汇功能及其对未来气温升高的响应提供了重要的理论依据。     

纬度梯度移栽对兴安落叶松针叶暗呼吸温度敏感性的影响

叶片暗呼吸温度敏感性对研究森林生态系统碳循环及其对气候变化的响应具有重要意义,但其树种内的变异性及季节动态还不清楚.本研究于2018年在同质园内测定了移栽自4个纬度(塔河、松岭、黑河和带岭)的兴安落叶松针叶的暗呼吸温度敏感系数(Q₁₀),旨在探索来自不同气候条件树木的Q₁₀的种内变异性及季节动态.结果表明: 4个移栽地的Q₁₀具有明显的季节动态,其最大值均出现在生长季中期.4个移栽地树木的Q₁₀存在显著差异,其变动范围为(1.48±0.01)～(2.15±0.03),并且在每个生长季阶段中差异的变化格局一致,即来自低纬度高温地区的树木Q₁₀值较大.Q₁₀与针叶氮浓度、可溶性糖浓度、移栽地年均气温和年均降水量间均存在显著正相关关系.综上,Q₁₀在移栽地之间的差异及其季节动态主要由针叶养分含量和树木对移栽原地气候的长期适应引起的,这些因素在森林碳循环对气候变化响应的模型和预测中应该予以考虑.     

中亚热带常绿阔叶林不同演替阶段土壤呼吸及其温度敏感性的变化

为探明中亚热带地区常绿阔叶林演替序列土壤呼吸(R_s)的变化趋势及其影响机制, 在福建省建瓯市万木林自然保护区选取演替时间分别为15年(演替初期)、47年(演替中期)和110年(演替后期)三个不同演替阶段, 进行了为期1年的野外原位观测。结果发现: 演替初期、中期和后期的R_s分别为2.38、3.32和3.91 µmol·m ^-2·s ^-1, 温度敏感性(Q₁₀值)分别为2.64、1.97和1.79; 与演替初期相比, 演替后期的R_s显著增加64.29%, Q₁₀值显著降低32.30%; 不同演替阶段R_s的季节变化模式相似, 温度和含水量可分别解释季节变化的69.5% (初期)、81.9% (中期)和61.3% (后期); 回归分析发现, R_s与凋落物年归还量、细根生物量和土壤全氮和土壤有机质碳含量显著正相关。表明本研究区内植被演替促进了土壤碳排放, 降低了土壤呼吸的温度敏感性; 土壤碳输入增加、养分含量的提高和细根生物量增大是中亚热带常绿阔叶林R_s随演替进程逐渐增大的主要原因。     

库布齐东缘沙漠化逆转过程中土壤呼吸及其温度敏感性变化

为研究沙漠化逆转过程对土壤呼吸速率(R_s)及其温度敏感性(Q₁₀)的影响,在库布齐沙漠东缘选取流动沙地、半固定沙地、藻结皮固定沙地、地衣结皮固定沙地和苔藓结皮固定沙地5个不同逆转阶段,采用静态暗箱-气相色谱法测定不同阶段样地R_s并计算Q₁₀,并同步分析环境因子对R_s的影响。结果表明: 随沙地固定和植被演替,R_s逐渐增大,表现为苔藓结皮固定沙地(0.78 μmol·m^-2·s^-1)>地衣结皮固定沙地(0.67 μmol·m^-2·s^-1)>藻结皮固定沙地(0.46 μmol·m^-2·s^-1)>半固定沙地(0.42 μmol·m^-2·s^-1)>流动沙地(0.29 μmol·m^-2·s^-1),且R_s均为生长季大于非生长季。Q₁₀值规律相反,为流动沙地(3.28)>半固定沙地(2.93)>藻结皮固定沙地(2.54)>地衣结皮固定沙地(1.91)>苔藓结皮固定沙地(1.84),且均为非生长季大于生长季。5个阶段样地R_s与土壤温度均呈显著正相关,但仅流动沙地和半固定沙地R_s与土壤含水量呈正相关,其余3种固定沙地R_s与土壤含水量无相关性。R_s与土壤全氮、有机碳、容重、孔隙度、细菌数量、放线菌数量及真菌数量均显著相关。在沙漠化逆转过程中,土壤碳氮含量及微生物群落数量的增加、土壤质地的改善、植物生物量的积累可显著增强土壤呼吸并降低其温度敏感性,是改变荒漠土壤碳循环格局的主要驱动力,同时也可明显改变水分因子对土壤呼吸的影响程度。     

Characterization of cocaine-sensitive dopamine uptake in PC12 cells

Dopamine uptake in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells is a carrier-mediated process which follows Michaelis Menten kinetics. Uptake was saturable with an apparent K_m of 0.71 μM for dopamine and a V_max of 3.2 pmol/2 × 10⁵ cells/min. The rank order of potency for various amines was norepinephrine copamine > epinephrine. Uptake increased with increasing temperature and showed a sharp break in the Arrhenius plot at 27.5 C. The Q₁₀ was 1.39 above and 2.95 below 27.5 C. Cocaine inhibited uptake in a dose-dependent manner with a K₁ of 0.97 μM. The presence of cocaine lowered the apparent K_m but did not affect the V_max, indicating competitive inhibition. Tunicamycin inhibited [³H]dopamine accumulation in a dose- and time-dependent fashion suggesting the dopamine uptake site in PC12 cells is an asparagine-linked glycoprotein. Kinetic analysis showed a decrease in V_max but not in the apparent K_m after tunicamycin treatment, consistent with the notion that tunicamycin treatment results in the loss of a substantial amount of active carrier molecules.     

Different responses of rat cerebral mitochondrial 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase activity to ammonia and hepatic encephalopathy in synaptic and nonsynaptic mitochondria

The effects of in vitro treatment with ammonium chloride and acute hepatic encephalopathy (HE) induced by thioacetamide treatment (TAA), on the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH) activity in synaptic and nonsynaptic mitochondria from rat brain were examined. In control conditions, V_max and K_m for 2-oxoglutaric acid (2-OG) were higher in the synaptic than in nonsynaptic mitochondria by about 45 and 55%, respectively. A particularly high sensitivity of OGDH to ammonium ions in vitro was observed in nonsynaptic mitochondria, as manifested by a 30% decrease of V_max and a 60% decrease of K_m for 2-OG. Synaptic mitochondria showed a slight response to HE which was manifested by a 12% increase of V_max. In nonsynaptic mitochondria a 19% decrease of K_m for 2-OG was observed, but V_max was unaffected. Nonsynaptic mitochondria from HE rats reacted to the addition of ammonium ions in vitro with a 30% inhibition of V_max but with no alteration of K_m for 2-OG. In synaptic mitochondria from HE rats there was a slight inhibition of V_max, but an about 15% decrease of K_m for 2-OG. Based on these results, the different responses of OGDH in two mitochondrial populations to HE and ammonium ions in vitro would appear to be due to intrinsic differences between the properties of the enzyme in the synaptic and nonsynaptic brain compartments.     

Circadian Variation in the Uptake of Tryptophan by Cortical Synaptosomes of the Rat Brain

The kinetics of the high affinity uptake system for L-tryptophan (L-Try)have been measured over 24 hr in cortical synaptosome preparations of rat brain. Both the K_m and V_max, of the uptake process showed a statistically significant 24 hr variation. The highest K_m value, 6.71 ± 10^-5 M, was measured at the beginning of the light phase and the lowest value, 4.23 ± 10^-5 M, 6 hr into the dark phase. V_max was highest at the end of the dark phase (10.43 nmol/mg/5 min) and lowest (4.80 nmol/mg/5 min) 3 hr into the dark phase. In contrast, there was no variation over 24 hr in the V_max/K_m ratio. These results suggest that the high affinity uptake process serves to ensure a constant rate of L-tryptophan entry into the neuron in the face of circadian or ultradian variations in extracellular concentration of tryptophan.     

A kinetic study of almond-β-glucosidase catalysed synthesis of hexyl-glycosides in low aqueous media: Influence of glycosyl donor and water activity

A variety of alkyl and aryl glycosides were investigated as substrates for almond β-glucosidase catalysed synthesis of hexyl-β- -glycosides in low aqueous hexanol media. The rate-limiting step in the organic media was determined to be the glycosylation of the enzyme. The kinetic constants V_max, K_m (glycosyl donor) and V_max/K_m were all influenced by the water activity and they all increased in value with increasing water activity. The increase in V_max/K_m was mainly determined by the increase in V_max and a plot of log(V_max/K_m) versus water activity resulted in a straight line with similar slopes for all glycosides but with different absolute values and thus the most reactive substrate p-nitrophenyl glucoside was the best one in the entire water activity range studied (0.53–0.96). The preference for the two competing acceptors, hexanol and water, was not affected by the aglycon part of the glucoside. Surprisingly, the ratio between trans glycosylation and hydrolysis increased with increasing water activity. A decrease in water activity caused an increase in equilibrium yield of hexyl glycoside, as expected, but was not beneficial for the kinetically controlled yield.     

Enzymic properties of β-mannanase from Polyporus versicolor

Substrate specificities and the kinetic parameters, K_m and V_max, of the four multiple enzyme forms of extracellular β-mannanase activity purified from Polyporus versicolor were determined. Although K_m values were significantly greater than those encountered in other β-mannanase systems V_max values were equivalent or much greater, rendering the physiological efficiencies of the β-mannanase comparable to those of other β-mannanases. All enzymes preferred glucomannan as substrate, were highly refractory at low concentrations to n-octylglucopyranoside, sodium deoxylcholate, and sodium dodecylsulfate, and were largely insensitive to methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile, and dimethylsulfoxide.     

Effect of aprotic solvents on the enzymatic activity of lipase in AOT reverse micelles

The modification of reverse micellar systems composed of AOT, isooctane, water by the addition of aprotic solvents has been performed. The impact of this change on the activity, stability and kinetics of solubilized Chromobacterium viscosum lipase (glycerol-ester hydrolase, EC 3.1.1.3) was investigated. Of seven aprotic solvents tested, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was found to be most effective. It was found that lipase activity was enhanced by optimizing some relevant parameters, such as water–AOT molar ratio (W₀), buffer pH and surfactant concentration. A kinetic model that considers the free substrate in equilibrium with the substrate adsorbed on the micellar surface was successfully used to deduce some kinetic parameters (V_max, K_m and K_ad), and the values of K_m and K_ad were significantly reduced by the presence of DMSO. Higher lipase stability was found in AOT reverse micelles with DMSO compared with that in simple AOT systems with half-life of 125 and 33 days, respectively. Fluorescence spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used to elucidate the effects of DMSO on the properties of AOT reverse micelles.     

DNA replication fidelity: kinetics and thermodynamics

Mechanisms that control the fidelity of DNA replication are discussed. Data are reviewed for 3 steps in a fidelity pathway: nucleotide insertion, exonucleolytic proofreading, and extension from matched and mismatched 3′-primer termini. Fidelity mechanisms that involve predominately K_m discrimination, V_max discrimination, or a combination of the two are analyzed in the context of a simple model for fidelity. Each fidelity step is divided into 2 components, thermodynamics and kinetic. The thermodynamic component, which relates to free-energy differences between right and wrong base pair, is associated with a K_m discrimination mechanism for polymerase. The kinetic component, which represents the enzyme's ability to select bases for insertion and excision to achieve fidelity greater than that availablek from base pairing free-energy differences, is associated with a V_max discrimination mechanism for polymerase. Currently available fidelity data for nucleotide insertion and primer extension in the absence of proofreading appears to have relatively large K_m and small V_max components. An important complication can arise when analyzing data from polymerases containing an associated 3′-exonuclease activity. In the presence of proofreading, a V_max discrimination mechanisms is likely to occur, but this may be the result of two K_m discrimination mechanisms acting serially, one for nucleotide insertion and other for excision. Possible relationships between base pairing free energy differences measured in aqueous solution and those defined within the polymerase active cleft are considered in the context of the enzyme's ability to exclude water, at least partially, from the vicinity of its active site.     

Potential activities of androgen metabolizing enzymes in human prostate

The entire androgen metabolism of the human prostate is an integral part of the DHT mediated cellular processes, which eventually give rise to the androgen responsiveness of the prostate. Therefore, the potential activities of various androgen metabolizing enzymes were studied. Moreover, the impact of aging on the androgen metabolism and the inhibition of 5-reductase by finasteride were studied. In epithelium (E) and stroma (S) of normal (NPR) and hyperplastic human prostate (BPH), for each enzyme being involved in the conversion either of testosterone via DHT, 3- and 3β-diol to the C₁₉O₃-triols or from testosterone to androstenedione and vice versa, the amount (V_max) and Michaelis constant (K_m) were determined by Lineweaver-Burk plots. Furthermore, V_max/K_m quotients were calculated, which served as an index for the potential enzyme activity. 17 enzymes showed a mean V_max/K_m ≥ 0.10. The top four were the 5-reductases in E and S of NPR and BPH. Among those, the highest activity was found in E of NPR (1.6 ± 0.2). Moreover, in E a significant age-dependent decrease of 5-reductase activity occurred, whereas in stroma rather constant activities were found over the whole age range. Similar age-dependent alterations were found for the cellular DHT levels. Finally, the finasteride inhibition of 5-reductase (IC₅₀;nM) was stronger in E (35 ± 17) than in S (126 ± 15). In conclusion, 5-reductase is: (a) the outstanding androgen metabolizing enzyme in NPR and BPH; (b) dictating the DHT enrichment in the prostate; (c) under the impact of aging; and (d) preferentially inhibited by finasteride in E.