2-aminoanthracene as an analytical tool with the acetylation reaction catalyzed by arylamine N-acetyltransferase

The polynuclear aromatic amine, 2-aminoanthracene, was found to be acetylat ed with high efficiency in the presence of acetyl-CoA by pigeon liver aryla mine N-acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.5). As a consequence of acetylation the fluorescence properties of the compound dramatically change and the reactio n time course can be easily followed fluorometrically at the emission wavel ength of 425 nm upon excitation at 360 nm. When 2-aminoanichracene is emplo yed with pigeon arylamine N-acetyltransferase, as the ultimate acceptor of the acetyl group in coupled fluorometric assays, it is possible to measure enzymatic activities, such as pyruvate dehydrogenase or carnitine acetyltra nsferase, in continuous assays rapidly and with high sensitivity or to dete rmine with as much sensitivity important metabolites such as acetylcarnitin e or acetyl-CoA. (C) 1999 Academic Press.