Decreased Proline Endopeptidase Activity in the Basal Ganglia in Huntington's Disease |
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| Authors: | K M Pittaway G P Reynolds P C Emson |
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| Institution: | MRC Neurochemical Pharmacology Unit, Medical Research Council Centre, Hills Road, Cambridge, U.K. |
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| Abstract: | Soluble proline endopeptidase (EC 3.4.21.26) activity was measured by a fluorometric assay in eight human brain areas (caudate nucleus, lateral globus pallidus, medial globus pallidus, substantia nigra-zona compacta, substantia nigra-zona reticulata, frontal cortex-Brodmann area 10, temporal cortex-Brodmann area 38, and hippocampus), in 10 control and 10 Huntington's disease brains. An abnormally low activity (22% of control activity) was found in the caudate nucleus of Huntington's disease brains; significantly decreased activity was also detected in the lateral globus pallidus and medial globus pallidus (37% and 40% of control, respectively). |
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| Keywords: | Proline endopeptidase Basal ganglia Huntington's disease Human brain |
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