[Isolation and purification of a NAD(+)-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase from human placenta]

A NAD(+)-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase has been isolated and purified from human placenta. About 9300-fold enrichment was achieved with a yield of 9.3%. The specific activity of the purified enzyme was 6470 nmol/min.mg. 15-OH-PGDH showed a single band on PAGE and two bands on SDS-PAGE. The molecular weights were approximately 26 and 52 kd, respectively. The two bands were recognized by both polycloning and monocloning antibodies of the enzyme. It is suggested that the 15-OH-PGDH be composed of two identical subunits.