An assay for creatine kinase conversion factor

The M subunits of creatine kinase (CK) isoenzymes, MM and MB, are subject to a postsynthetic modification in serum. As a result of this modification three sub-bands of MM can be identified by agarose electrophoresis, called MM3, MM2 and MM1 in the order of increasing electrophoretic mobility towards the anode. An assay has been developed for the protein, called creatine kinase conversion factor, which catalyses the reaction leading to the sub-bands. The assay is based on the rate of conversion of MM3 to MM2 and MM1. The first order rate constant for the conversion, designated as kc, for sera of 24 apparently healthy adults ranges from 0.0221 to 0.0740 hr-1 with a mean of 0.0392 hr-1 under the conditions of the assay. Temperature and pH dependence of kc have been determined.