Distribution of tyrosine aminotransferase activity in mink (Mustela vison)

The distribution of the enzyme tyrosine aminotransferase in tissues of mink, Mustela vison, was investigated. High levels of enzymatic activity were detected only in liver, documenting the hepatic-specific nature of this enzyme in this species. Further studies disclosed that tyrosine aminotransferase is not absent from non-hepatic tissues because of the lack of the use of a stabilized buffer, sensitivity to temperature, or due to the presence of an inhibitor. Collectively, these results suggest that the enzymatic assay of tyrosine aminotransferase will be unlikely to be an efficacious approach for identifying mink that are heterozygous for the autosomal recessive deficiency of this enzyme that is common in dark mink.