A comparative study of hepatic and epidermal histidase in the guinea-pig (Cavia porcellus)

Histidine ammonia lyase was purified to homogeneity from guinea-pig liver and epidermis. Both enzymes had similar molecular weights, subunit composition and pH optima. Km values for the two were similar at pH 9.2 but different at pH 7.0. Both enzymes were stimulated by low thiol concentrations and inhibited at higher concentrations, but to different extents. Antibody to the hepatic enzyme showed complete identity against hepatic enzyme but incomplete identity against epidermal enzyme.