Methionine activating enzyme in various human platelet populations.

Human platelets have been separated into four populations by a discontinuous sucrose gradient. MAE activity has been determined in the various platelet populations and significant differences were obtained with respect to platelet size, the large-heavy platelets showing a higher enzymatic activity than the small-light ones. These data suggest that higher MAE activity in the younger and large-heavy platelets may be responsible for a much higher biochemical and functional efficiency.