Possible role of glutathione in cofactor regeneration of dopamine beta-hydroxylase.

The activity of the enzyme dopamine beta-hydroxylase was determined in rat brain stem by a sensitive coupled radiometric assay. The appropriate copper and dilution parameters have been determined for this tissue. Reduced glutathione has been shown to activate the enzyme homogenate at concentrations of 24-240 microM. This paper shows that glutathione cannot contribute to the inhibitory activity coming from the brain stem. A mechanism is proposed for the role of glutathione in cofactor regeneration of dopamine beta-hydroxylase.