The partial purification and properties of a human erythrocyte 4-nitroacetophenone reductase.

1. A soluble enzyme which catalyses the NADPH-dependent reduction of 4-nitroacetophenone to 4-nitrophenylmethylcarbinol has been partially purified from human erythrocytes. 2.inter-individual or intra-individual differences in the enzymic activity were small except for very low activity observed in one subject with glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency resulting in decreased levels of NADPH. 3. The enzyme was inactivated above 50 degrees or on storage at 4 degrees for longer than 24 h. The pH optimum was between 7-0-8-0. 4. the enzyme has been differentiated from NADPH-methaemoglobin reductase, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, glutathione reductase, alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone reductase and aromatic alpha-keto acid reductase activities, but similarities exist between this enzyme and a rabbit kidney cortex aromatic aldehyde/ketone reductase.