Characterization of human brain phenolsulphotransferase.

Both human phenolsulphotransferase M (for monoamines) and P (for phenol) were detected in eight out of twelve brains examined postmortem. Activity values were low compared with those in other human tissues and in brains from other species. The activity of both forms was unevenly distributed in different brain regions in a pattern different from that of the monoamines. From a study of substrate specificity, Km values, and inhibitor sensitivity, the two forms of the human brain enzyme did not appear to differ from their counterparts in platelet.