| Abstract: | Delta-14C]aminolevulinic acid (ALA) was injected intracranially into experimental animals; the gray and white matter was obtained from the brain 24 hours thereafter. The radioactive label content in the ALA, protoporphyrin, microsomes, mitochondria, cell membranes and myelin was determined; no radioactivity was detected in ALA and protoporphyrin. The radioactive label was localized in the subcellular fractions and myelin, in particular, in the white matter. Analysis of protein myelin fractions demonstrated that ALA was incorporated into practically all basic proteins. The highest capacity to bind ALA was observed in case of Wolfgram proteins; however, almost half of the bound ALA in the myelin fraction was found within the composition of basic proteins. It was assumed that the binding of ALA to proteins occurs via the amide, carboxylic and keto groups of ALA. |
