Effect of D-penicillamine on Vitamin B6 Activation of Aspartate Aminotransferase in Synaptosomes of the Developing Brain

The activity of aspartate aminotransferase a vitamin B6 containing enzyme was measured in the laysed synaptosomes prepared from rat brain, during development. Administration of vitamin B6 increased the enzyme activity throughout development. The stimulating effect of this vitamin was prevented when the animals were previously treated with D-penicillamine. However, penicillamine alone had no effect on the pattern of the enzyme activity during development. Similar results were observed when the synaptosomal preparations were incubated in the presence of the vitamin, the drug or both. It is concluded that vitamin B6 content of the brain might be unaffected by D-penicillamine treatment