Attempt to prepare Anti-Tyrosine Decarboxylase

Abstract

IN the course of studies on various anti-enzymes, an attempt was made to prepare an anti-tyrosine decarboxylase. The enzyme was an extract from acetone-dried cells of Streptococcus fœcalis, prepared and tested by the method of Epps¹. This extract was injected intravenously into a rabbit at three- to four-day intervals, and antiserum removed seven days (approximately) after the third and subsequent injections. On incubation with the crude enzyme preparation, the antiserum regularly gave a precipitate; but, on removal of this precipitate, enzymic activity was retained or slightly increased. The enzyme had, therefore, neither been precipitated nor inactivated in the supernatant. Precipitates were not obtained when the antiserum was replaced by a non-specific rabbit serum.