ENZYMATIC AND IMMUNOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF SUCCINIC SEMIALDEHYDE DEHYDROGENASE IN RAT AND HUMAN NEURAL AND NONNEURAL TISSUES

We have identified succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase protein in rat and human neural and nonneural tissues. Tissue localization was determ ined by enzymatic assay and by western immunoblotting using polyclonal antibodies raised in rabbit against the purified rat brain protein. A lthough brain shows the highest level of succinic semialdehyde dehydro genase activity, substantial amounts of enzyme activity occur in mamma lian liver, pituitary, heart, and ovary. We further demonstrate the ab sence of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase enzyme activity and prote in in brain, liver, and kidney tissue samples from an individual affec ted with succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency, thereby verif ying the specificity of our antibodies.