[Demonstration of carcinine synthetase, a new enzyme catalysing the metabolism of histamine in the central nervous system of Carcinus maenas].

Carcinine biosynthesis was induced in vitro from its two components, beta-alanine and histamine. The reaction was catalyzed by muscle, heart, and CNS extracts from Carcinus maenas. The specific activity of the enzyme, carcinine synthetase, was 15 times higher in CNS than in other organs. Only CNS extracts induced biosynthesis of carcinine from histidine, and only in the presence of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate. Hence the seat of carcinine biosynthesis seems to be the CNS. It is highly probable that in the CNS, histidine is transformed into histamine, which is then catabolized into carcinine. The latter would then be transported and accumulated in the cardiac tissue. Thus histamine--the metabolism of which takes place totally within the CNS--would be implicated as a participant in the neuronal activity of Carcinus maenas. Carcinine synthetase is a soluble enzyme that requires the presence of ATP, beta-alanine, and histamine. Mg2+ and dithiothreitol are also essential for activity. Optimum pH is approximately 7.6. Carcinine synthetase differs from carnosine synthetase and gamma-glutamylhistamine synthetase in that it does not catalyze synthesis of beta-alanylhistidine or gamma-glutamylhistamine.