Alpha-tocopheryl acetate hydrolase in chicken liver. Characterisation and properties

An enzyme catalysing the hydrolysis ofa-tocopheryl acetate was characterised in chicken liver. The enzyme was localised in the microsomes, had an optimum pH 8.6 and aK _m value of 0.5 mM. The enzyme did not hydrolyse retinyl acetate, cholesteryl acetate and ethyl acetate, thus indicating a high degree of specificity.a-Tocopheryl acetate hydrolase required bile salts as a specific co-factor. The results suggested a role for this enzyme in the absorption of vitamin E.