Biochemical genetics of the pentose phosphate cycle: human ribose 5-phosphate isomerase (RPI) and ribulose 5-phosphate 3-epimerase (RPE).

1. Staining procedures are described for the detection after starch-gel electrophoresis of ribose-5-phosphate isomerase (RPI) and ribulose 5-phosphate 3-epimerase (RPE). 2. Both RPI and RPE were detected in all human tissues including red cells, lymphocytes and fibroblasts. 3. No evidence was found for more than one structural gene locus for either enzyme. 4. No allelic variants of either enzyme were found in erythrocyte lysates from over 200 unrelated individuals. 5. Preliminary data are presented which suggest that differences in tissue RPE isozyme patterns may be due to endogenous proteolytic activity. 6. Electrophoretic analysis of RPE and RPI isozyme patterns in extracts of man/mouse hybrid cells indicates that RPE is probably a dimer and RPI may also be polymeric.