INVESTIGATION OF THE PRESENCE OF BRANCHED-CHAIN ALPHA-KETO ACID DEHYDROGENASE IN MAMMALIAN HEPATIC PEROXISOMES

1. Rat liver was fractionated into peroxisomes and mitochondria and br anched-chain keto acid (BCKA) dehydrogenase activity was measured. 2. All BCKA dehydrogenase activity was associated with the mitochondrial fraction and none with the peroxisomal fraction. 3. BCKA dehydrogenase was also not detected in hepatic peroxisomes of rats treated with clo fibrate which induces several peroxisomal enzymes. 4. Hepatic peroxiso mes from rabbit, hamster and dog also did not show any BCKA dehydrogen ase activity. 5. We conclude that mammalian hepatic peroxisomes do not contain BCKA dehydrogenase.