Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit gastric peroxidase activity

The peroxidase activity of the mitochondrial fraction of rat gastric mucosa was inhibited with various nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in vitro. Indomethacin was found to be more effective than phenylbutazone (PB) or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Mouse gastric peroxidase was also very sensitive to indomethacin inhibition. Indomethacin has no significant effect on submaxillary gland peroxidase activity of either of the species studied. Purified rat gastric peroxidase activity was inhibited 75% with 0.15 mM indomethacin showing half-maximal inhibition at 0.04 mM. The inhibition could be withdrawn by increasing the concentration of iodide but not by H2O2. NSAIDs inhibit gastric peroxidase activity more effectively at acid pH (pH 5.2) than at neutral pH. Spectral studies showed a bathochromic shift of the Soret band of the enzyme with indomethacin indicating its interaction at or near the heme part of the enzyme.     

Effect of tannic acid on brush border disaccharidases in mammalian intestine

Tannic acid is a glucoside (penta-m-digallolyl-glucose), which exhibits a wide variety of physiological functions. Around neutral pH, 0.4 mM tannic acid produced 84% inhibition of rat brush border sucrase activity, but 35-40% enzyme inhibition was observed in the rabbit intestine at 0.08 mM concentration. In the mice, 74-77% enzyme inhibition was observed at 0.05 mM concentration of tannic acid. The observed inhibition was reversible in rat intestine. Tannic acid (0.2 mM) also inhibited lactase (18% in adult and 71% in suckling animals), maltase (76%) and trehalase (88%) activities in rat intestine. pH versus activity curves showed that 0.2 mM tannic acid inhibited enzyme activity in rat by 91% at pH 5.5 which was reduced to 14% at pH 8.5 compared to the respective controls. In the rabbit 18-60% enzyme inhibition was noticed below pH 7.0, however at pH 8.5, it was of the order of 38%. Kinetic analysis revealed that tannic acid is a competitive inhibitor of rat brush border sucrase at pH 6.8. Effect of tannic acid together with various -SH group reacting reagents revealed that the enzyme inhibition is additive in nature, suggesting the distinct nature of binding sites on the enzyme for these compounds. The results suggest that tannic acid is a potent inhibitor of intestinal brush border disaccharidases, and could modulate the intestinal functions.     

Studies on mammalian intestinal peroxidase.

A peroxidase, purified from rat small intestine to apparent homogeneity as judged by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, exhibited an absorbance ratio (A412/A280) of 0.783. Its Mr (44000 +/- 1000) and spectral properties were similar to those of the pig intestinal enzyme. The velocity constant for the reaction between rat intestinal peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide was found to be 1.8 x 10(7) M-1 . s-1. Benzhydroxamic acid inhibited the peroxidative oxidation of guaiacol by intestinal peroxidase from both species but the concentration required to cause half-inhibition of the enzyme from the rat was higher by one order of magnitude than for the pig enzyme. The amino acid composition of highly-purified pig intestinal peroxidase showed a relative abundance of basic amino acids (lysine and arginine) and was similar to that of lactoperoxidase, but not that of myeloperoxidase. The initial ten amino acid residues of this enzyme (the first reported partial sequence for a mammalian peroxidase) were also determined.     

Esterastin: a potent inhibitor of lysosomal acid lipase

The effect of a fungal metabolite, esterastin, on lysosomal acid lipase purified from rabbit liver was studied. Esterastin inhibited the enzyme activity very strongly (IC50, about 80 nM). The inhibition of acid lipase by esterastin was competitive with respect to the substrate and the inhibition constant for esterastin was 90 nM. Esterastin was less inhibitory to other lipolytic enzymes, such as pancreatic lipase and carboxylesterase. Thus esterastin is a potent new inhibitor of lysosomal acid lipase.     

Studies on the mechanism of inhibition of redox enzymes by substituted hydroxamic acids.

Substituted primary hydroxamic acids were found to inhibit the catalytic activity of a number of redox enzymes. The inhibition was not related to the nature of the metal-active site of the enzyme nor to the nature of the oxygen-containing substrate. Two easily available enzymes, mushroom tyrosinase (monophenol,dihydroyphenylalanine:oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.14.18.1) and horseradish peroxidase (donor:hydrogen-peroxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.11.1.7), which were potently inhibited by hydroxamic acids, were chosen for more detailed study. A kinetic analysis of the inhibitory effects on the partially purified tyrosinase of mushroom (Agaricus bispora) revealed that inhibition was reversible and competiitive with respect to reducing substrate concentration, but was not competitive with respect to molecular oxygen concentration. A spectrophotometric and EPR study of the binding of salicylhydroxamic acid to horseradish peroxidase revealed that his hydroxamic acid was bound to the enzyme in the same manner as a typical substrate, hydroquinone. Spectroscopic and thermodynamic measurements of the binding reactions suggested that this binding site is close, to but, not directly onto, the heme group of the enzyme. From these results it is concluded that the mode of inhibition of hydroxamic acid need not be, as generally supposed, by metal chelation, and mechanisms involving either hydrogen bonding at the reducing substrate binding site or the formation of a charge transfer complex between hydroxamic acid and an electron-accepting group in the enzyme are considered to be more feasible. The relevance of these findings to deductions on the nature of other hydroxamic acid-inhibitable systems is discussed.     

Glucocorticoid effects on gastric peroxidase activity

The peroxidase activity in rat gastric mucosa is inhibited after administration of glucocorticoids. The synthetic steroid dexamethasone is more potent than the naturally occurring steroids, such as cortisone or corticosterone. Almost complete inhibition of the enzyme occurs after 24 h with a single dose of 100 micrograms dexamethasone/120 g body weight. Other mitochondrial enzyme activities, like monoamine oxidase, succinic dehydrogenase and Mg2+-ATPase, remain unaltered under the same experimental condition. Submaxillary peroxidase and thyroid peroxidase activity are not inhibited by dexamethasone. Gastric peroxidase activity is increased 200-250% on the 6th day after adrenalectomy. This effect is blocked by the administration of dexamethasone. In fact, the enzyme becomes more sensitive to dexamethasone after adrenalectomy, since it is inhibited by more than 90% at the dose of 25 micrograms/120 g body weight. The inhibition by dexamethasone in normal animals is reversible. The enzyme is also inhibited after the administration of a single dose of ACTH. The apparent Km of the enzyme for H2O2 is not altered after dexamethasone treatment or after adrenalectomy. The increase in enzyme activity following adrenalectomy is not blocked by actinomycin D or by alpha-amanitin, but is prevented by puromycin or cycloheximide. After administration of dexamethasone, the iodide concentration process in the gastric mucosa is not affected, but the organification of iodide is significantly diminished.     

Propyl gallate inhibition of iodide and tetramethylbenzidine oxidation catalyzed by human thyroid peroxidase

The kinetic characteristics (kcat, Km, and their ratio) for oxidation of iodide (I-) at 25 degrees C in 0.2 M acetate buffer, pH 5.2, and tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) at 20 degrees C in 0.05 M phosphate buffer, pH 6.0, with 10% DMF catalyzed by human thyroid peroxidase (HTP) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were determined. The catalytic activity of HRP in I- oxidation was about 20-fold higher than that of HTP. The kcat/Km ratio reflecting HTP efficiency was 35-fold higher in TMB oxidation than that in I- oxidation. Propyl gallate (PG) effectively inhibited all four peroxidase processes and its effects were characterized in terms of inhibition constants Ki and the inhibitor stoichiometric coefficient f. For both peroxidases, inhibition of I- oxidation by PG was characterized by mixed-type inhibition; Ki for HTP was 0.93 microM at 25 degrees C. However, in the case of TMB oxidation the mixed-type inhibition by PG was observed only with HTP (Ki = 3.9 microM at 20 degrees C), whereas for HRP it acted as a competitive inhibitor (Ki = 42 microM at 20 degrees C). A general scheme of inhibition of iodide peroxidation containing both enzymatic and non-enzymatic stages is proposed and discussed.     

Glucocorticoid effects on gastric peroxidase activity

The peroxidase activity in rat gastric mucosa is inhibited after administration of glucocorticoids. The synthetic steroid dexamethasone is more potent than the naturally occurring steroids, such as cortisone or corticosterone. Almost complete inhibition of the enzyme occurs after 24 h with a single dose of 100 μg dexamethasone/120 g body weight. Other mitochondrial enzyme activities, like monoamine oxidase, succinic dehydrogenase and Mg²⁺-ATPase, remain unaltered under the same experimental condition. Submaxillary peroxidase and thyroid peroxidase activity are not inhibited by dexamethasone. Gastric peroxidase activity is increased 200–250% on the 6th day after adrenalectomy. This effect is blocked by the administration of dexamethasone. In fact, the enzyme becomes more sensitive to dexamethasone after adrenalectomy, since it is inhibited by more than 90% at the dose of 25 μg/120 g body weight. The inhibition by dexamethasone in normal animals is reversible. The enzyme is also inhibited after the administration of a single dose of ACTH. The apparent K_m of the enzyme for H₂O₂ is not altered after dexamethasone treatment or after adrenalectomy. The increase in enzyme activity following adrenalectomy is not blocked by actinomycin D or by α-amanitin, but is prevented by puromycin or cycloheximide. After administration of dexamethasone, the iodide concentration process in the gastric mucosa is not affected, but the organification of iodide is significantly diminished.     

Glutathione peroxidase: inhibition by cyanide and release of selenium.

Treatment of highly purified ovine erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase with KCN resulted in loss of enzyme activity and release of selenium from the enzyme. The inactivation by cyanide was time-dependent and the rate was strongly influenced by temperature, concentration of cyanide, oxidation state of the enzyme, and pH. The pH effect could be explained on the basis of the increasing proportion of cyanide ion with increasing pH. Inhibition could be prevented by prior reduction of the purified enzyme with glutathione, dithiothreitol, or dithionite. Oxidation with cumene hydroperoxide was necessary to demonstrate cyanide inhibition of glutathione peroxidase activity in rat liver cytosol. These observations explain why cyanide inhibition of glutathione peroxidase has not been noted previously and provide new approaches for studying the chemical nature of the enzyme-selenium.     

Inhibition of lignin peroxidase-mediated oxidation activity by ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid and N-N-N'-N'-tetramethylenediamine

The mineralization rate of LC-[1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane] (DDT) was reduced by 90% on the 18th day in fungal cultures of Phanerochaete chrysosporium in the presence of 8 mM ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). In the presence of 8 mM N-N-N'-N'-tetramethylenediamine (TEMED), the mineralization rate of 14C-DDT was reduced by 80%. In the presence of 2 mM or 10 mM EDTA, 95% inhibition of lignin peroxidase (LiP) mediated veratryl alcohol oxidase activity and 97% inhibition of LiP mediated iodide oxidase activity occurred. TEMED caused 79% inhibition of veratryl alcohol oxidase activity and 92% inhibition of iodide oxidase activity when the amount used was 2 mM and 10 mM, respectively. In the presence of Zn(II) with slight molar excess of the EDTA concentration, reversed the EDTA mediated non-competitive inhibition of LiP catalyzed veratryl alcohol or iodide oxidation, Zn(II) also reversed the inhibition of LiP catalyzed veratryl alcohol oxidase activity caused by chelators other than EDTA and TEMED. In addition to Zn(II), several other metal ions also relieved EDTA mediated inhibition of veratryl alcohol and iodide oxidase activity catalyzed by LiP. The ability of veratryl alcohol to inhibit iodide oxidation catalyzed by LiP showed that veratryl alcohol could inhibit LiP mediated iodide oxidase activity. Increasing the concentration of iodide was also shown to inhibit veratryl alcohol oxidation. Kinetic analysis showed that the reaction was competitive inhibition.     

The inhibition of peroxidase and indole-3-acetic acid oxidase activity by British Anti-Lewisite

British Anti-Lewisite (BAL) binds to horseradish peroxidase in a manner which results in inhibition of both peroxidatic and oxidative functions of the enzyme. BAL competes with hydrogen peroxide for binding on peroxidase, and the inhibition of peroxidatic activity is irreversible. Solutions of purified horseradish peroxidase and individually resolved peroxidase isozymes show a gradual loss of peroxidatic activity with time when incubated with BAL. In these same treatments, however, the inhibition of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) oxidase activity is immediate. With increasing amounts of enzyme in the incubation mixture, IAA oxidase activity is not completely inhibited and is observed following a lag period in the assay which shortens with longer incubation times. Peroxidase activity during this same time interval shows a lag period which increases with longer incubation times. Lowering the pH removed the lag period for oxidase activity, but did not change the pattern of peroxidase activity. These results suggest that the sites for the oxidation of indole-3-acetic acid and for peroxidatic activity may not be identical in horseradish peroxidase isozymes.     

Differential effects of methylmercuric chloride and mercuric chloride on oxidation and iodination reactions catalyzed by thyroid peroxidase

Thyroid peroxidase (TPO), the major enzyme in the thyroid hormone synthesis, multifunctionally catalyzes (1) iodide oxidation, (2) iodination of the precursor protein, and (3) a coupling reaction of iodotyrosyl residues. The present study was carried out to examine the mercurial effects on the iodination, the second step of TPO. Purified porcine thyroglobulin or bovine serum albumin as acceptor protein was iodinated with [125I]NaI and H2O2 by purified porcine TPO. Iodinated protein was separated by acid precipitation on membrane filter or paper chromatography. Both CH3HgCl and HgCl2 dose-dependently inhibited the iodination, but HgCl2 was more potent to inhibit the iodination than CH3HgCl. These mercurial effects on the second step resemble the effects on the third step which were already reported; but are in marked contrast to the effects on the first step, where TPO was inhibited by HgCl2 but never by CH3HgCl.     

Evidence for a new extracellular peroxidase. Manganese-inhibited peroxidase from the white-rot fungus Bjerkandera sp. BOS 55.

A novel enzyme activity was detected in the extracellular fluid of Bjerkandera sp. BOS 55. The purified enzyme could oxidize several compounds, such as Phenol red, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (DMP), Poly R-478, ABTS and guaiacol, with H2O2 as an electron acceptor. In contrast, veratryl alcohol was not a substrate. This enzyme also had the capacity to oxidize DMP in the absence of H2O2. With some substrates, a strong inhibition of the peroxidative activity by Mn2+ was observed. Phenol red oxidation was inhibited by 84% with only 1 mM of this metal ion. Because DMP oxidation by this enzyme is only slightly inhibited by Mn2+, this substrate should not be used in assays to detect manganese peroxidase. The enzyme is tentatively named 'Manganese-Inhibited Peroxidase'.     

In situ characterization of a NO-sensitive peroxidase in the lignifying xylem of Zinnia elegans

The lignifying xylem from Zinnia elegans stems gives an intense reaction with 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), a reagent previously reported to be specific for peroxidase/H2O2. However, the staining of lignifying xylem cells with TMB is apparently the result of two independent mechanisms: one, the catalase-sensitive (H2O2-dependent) peroxidase-mediated oxidation of TMB, and the other, the catalase-insensitive oxidation of TMB, probably mediated by xylem oxidases which are specific from lignifying tissues. The catalase-insensitive oxidation of TMB by the Z. elegans xylem was sensitive to sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide (NO)-releasing compound that, when used at 5.0 mM, is capable of sustaining NO concentrations of 6.1 &mgr;M in the aqueous phase. This effect of SNP was totally reversed by 150 &mgr;M 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl imidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (PTIO), an efficient NO scavenger in biological systems, so the above-mentioned effect must be ascribed to NO, and not to other nitrogen oxides. This response of the catalase-insensitive TMB-oxidase activity of the lignifying Z. elegans xylem was similar to that shown by a basic peroxidase isolated from the intercellular washing fluid, which showed TMB-oxidase activity, and which was also inhibited by 5 mM SNP, the effect of SNP also being reversed by 150 &mgr;M PTIO. These results suggest that peroxidase was the enzyme responsible for the NO-sensitive catalase-insensitive TMB-oxidase activity of the lignifying Z. elegans xylem. Further support for this statement was obtained from competitive inhibitor-dissected histochemistry, which showed that this stain responded to peroxidase-selective competitive inhibitors, such as ferulic acid and ferrocyanide, in a similar way to the Z. elegans basic peroxidase. From these results, we conclude that this NO-sensitive catalase-insensitive oxidation of TMB is apparently performed by the Z. elegans basic peroxidase, and that the regulation of this enzyme by NO may constitute an intrinsically programmed event during the differentiation and death of the xylem.     

Lysine biosynthesis in Rhodotorula glutinis: properties of pipecolic acid oxidase.

Pipecolic acid oxidase from Rhodotorula glutinis, which converts pipecolic acid to alpha-aminoadipic-delta-semialdehyde, an intermediate of the biosynthetic pathway of lysine, was purified 290-fold. The enzyme from the crude extract and purified preparation exhibited a molecular weight of approximately 43,000 and was composed of a single subunit. The purified enzyme was heat labile and exhibited a pH optimum of 8.5 and an apparent Km for L-pipecolic acid of 1.67 X 10(-3) M. L-Proline acted as a competitive inhibitor for the enzyme. The enzyme was inhibited by the sulfhydryl agents p-chloromercuribenzoate and mercuric chloride. The in vitro enzyme activity required oxygen and upon oxidation of pipecolic acid, oxygen was reduced to hydrogen peroxide.     

Factors affecting the activity of citrate synthase of Acetobacter xylinum and its possible regulatory role.

The citrate synthase activity of Acetobacter xylinum cells grown on glucose was the same as of cells grown on intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. The activity of citrate synthase in extracts is compatible with the overall rate of acetate oxidation in vivo. The enzyme was purified 47-fold from sonic extracts and its molecular weight was determined to be 280000 by gel filtration. It has an optimum activity at pH 8.4. Reaction rates with the purified enzyme were hyperbolic functions of both acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetate. The Km for acetyl-CoA is 18 mum and that for oxaloacetate 8.7 mum. The enzyme is inhibited by ATP according to classical kinetic patterns. This inhibition is competitive with respect to acetyl-CoA (Ki = 0.9 mM) and non-competitive with respect to oxaloacetate. It is not affected by changes in pH and ionic strength and is not relieved by an excess of Mg2+ ions. Unlike other Gram-negative bacteria, the A. xylinum enzyme is not inhibited by NADH, but is inhibited by high concentrations of NADPH. The activity of the enzyme varies with energy charge in a manner consistent with its role in energy metabolism. It is suggested that the flux through the tricarboxylic acid cycle in A. xylinum is regulated by modulation of citrate synthase activity in response to the energy state of the cells.     

Novel effect of C75 on carnitine palmitoyltransferase I activity and palmitate oxidation

C75 is a potential drug for the treatment of obesity. It was first identified as a competitive, irreversible inhibitor of fatty acid synthase (FAS). It has also been described as a malonyl-CoA analogue that antagonizes the allosteric inhibitory effect of malonyl-CoA on carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT I), the main regulatory enzyme involved in fatty acid oxidation. On the basis of MALDI-TOF analysis, we now provide evidence that C75 can be transformed to its C75-CoA derivative. Unlike the activation produced by C75, the CoA derivative is a potent competitive inhibitor that binds tightly but reversibly to CPT I. IC50 values for yeast-overexpressed L- or M-CPT I isoforms, as well as for purified mitochondria from rat liver and muscle, were within the same range as those observed for etomoxiryl-CoA, a potent inhibitor of CPT I. When a pancreatic INS(823/13), muscle L6E9, or kidney HEK293 cell line was incubated directly with C75, fatty acid oxidation was inhibited. This suggests that C75 could be transformed in the cell to its C75-CoA derivative, inhibiting CPT I activity and consequently fatty acid oxidation. In vivo, a single intraperitoneal injection of C75 in mice produced short-term inhibition of CPT I activity in mitochondria from the liver, soleus, and pancreas, indicating that C75 could be transformed to its C75-CoA derivative in these tissues. Finally, in silico molecular docking studies showed that C75-CoA occupies the same pocket in CPT I as palmitoyl-CoA, suggesting an inhibiting mechanism based on mutual exclusion. Overall, our results describe a novel role for C75 in CPT I activity, highlighting the inhibitory effect of its C75-CoA derivative.     

Effect of strophanthin G on peroxidase oxidation kinetics of slowly oxidizable peroxidase substrates

Steady-state kinetics of thioproperazine, triftazine, aminazine, and o-dianisidine oxidation with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase were studied in the presence of strophanthin G. Values of the inhibition and activation constants (Ki, Ka) were determined in the pH range 5.0-7.5. At acidic pH, strophanthin G activated peroxidase during the oxidation of thioproperazine by the uncompetitive mechanism, and when triftazine was oxidized, the inhibition was noncompetitive. At pH > 6.0, the patterns of activation and inhibition changed to mixed-type during the peroxidase oxidation of thioproperazine and triftazine and to competitive inhibition of peroxidase with strophanthin G during the oxidation of aminazine. These effects are suggested to be due to an ionizable enzyme group of pK approximately 6.0. Strophanthin G inhibited free-radical oxidation of o-dianisidine via binding to the enzyme-substrate complex, preventing the generation of a stable semi-oxidized product of o-dianisidine, and thus inhibiting the enzyme by the anticompetitive mechanism. Mechanisms of oxidation of slowly and rapidly oxidizable substrates of peroxidase in the presence of strophanthin G are suggested.     

Oxidase-peroxidase enzymes of Datura innoxia. Oxidation of formylphenylacetic acid ethyl ester.

An enzyme system from Datura innoxia roots oxidizing formylphenylacetic acid ethyl ester was purified 38-fold by conventional methods such as (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, negative adsorption on alumina Cy gel and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. The purified enzyme was shown to catalyse the stoicheiometric oxidation of formylphenylacetic acid ethyl ester to benzoylformic acid ethyl ester and formic acid, utilizing molecular O2. Substrate analogues such as phenylacetaldehyde and phenylpyruvate were oxidized at a very low rate, and formylphenylacetonitrile was an inhilating agents, cyanide, thiol compounds and ascorbic acid. This enzyme was identical with an oxidase-peroxidase isoenzyme. Another oxidase-peroxidase isoenzyme which separated on DEAE-chromatography also showed formylphenylacetic acid ethyl ester oxidase activity, albeit to a lesser extent. The properties of the two isoenzymes of the oxidase were compared and shown to differ in their oxidation and peroxidation properties. The oxidation of formylphenylacetic acid ethyl ester was also catalysed by horseradish peroxidase. The Datura isoenzymes exhibited typical haemoprotein spectra. The oxidation of formylphenylacetic acid ethyl ester was different from other peroxidase-catalysed reactions in not being activated by either Mn2+ or monophenols. The oxidation was inhibited by several mono- and poly-phenols and by catalase. A reaction mechanism for the oxidation is proposed.     

Purification and characterization of a microbial, NADP-dependent bile acid 7 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

A constitutively expressed 7 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (7 alpha-HSDH) has been purified over 1200-fold, to apparent homogeneity, from an intestinal anaerobic bacterium. The purified protein had a subunit molecular mass of 32 kDa as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Sepharose CL-6B gel filtration gave a native molecular mass estimate of 124 kDa, suggesting that this enzyme existed as a tetramer of identical subunits. Sulfhydryl reactive compounds were potent inhibitors of 7 alpha-HSDH activity, however, metal ion chelators had no effect upon catalytic activity. The purified enzyme was highly NADP-dependent. Bile acid substrate utilization studies revealed that the enzyme was specific for the oxidation of an unhindered 7 alpha-hydroxyl group. A wide variety of bile acids and analogs were used as substrates including glycine and taurine conjugates, and methyl esters, amines, and bile alcohols. The purified 7 alpha-HSDH obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Hanes plots of substrate saturation kinetics revealed that most bile acid substrates had Km values ranging from 4 to 20 microM, while Vmax was 601 and 674 mumol/min/mg in the direction of bile acid oxidation and reduction, respectively. Primary kinetic plots and product inhibition patterns were consistent with an ordered sequential mechanism, with NADP(H) binding first. The N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of the purified enzyme revealed a striking homology to several short, non-zinc alcohol/polyol dehydrogenases and a putative, cholate-inducible, hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from the same organism. The high specific activity together with the stability, substrate range, and ease of purification, make this enzyme an excellent candidate for use in quantitating primary bile acids both in laboratory and clinical samples. Spectrofluorometry allowed for the quantitation of as little as 10 nM of both free and conjugated primary bile acids.