Kp. Blemings et al., LYSINE-ALPHA-KETOGLUTARATE REDUCTASE AND SACCHAROPINE DEHYDROGENASE ARE LOCATED ONLY IN THE MITOCHONDRIAL MATRIX IN RAT-LIVER, The Journal of nutrition, 124(8), 1994, pp. 1215-1221
In rat liver, comparisons of marker enzyme activities (beta-hexoseamin
idase, lysosomes; catalase, peroxisomes; cytochrome oxidase, mitochond
rial-inner membrane; monoamine oxidase, mitochondrial outer membrane;
ornithine aminotransferase, mitochondrial matrix) show that lysine-cu-
ketoglutarate reductase and saccharopine dehydrogenase, the initial en
zymes of saccharopine-dependent lysine degradation, are found only in
the mitochondrial matrix. These results are consistent with obligatory
uptake of lysine into the matrix for lysine catabolism and raise the
possibility that lysine transport into the mitochondrion may control l
ysine degradation.