INHIBITION OF GLYCERALDEHYDE‐3‐PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE IN MAMMALIAN NERVE BY IODOACETIC ACID

Abstract— Cat sciatic nerves were exposed to iodoacetate for a period of 5–10 min and after washing out the iodoacetate, the enzymes, glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (d‐glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate: NAD oxidoreductase (phosphorylating); EC 1.2.1.12) and lactate dehydrogenase (l‐lactate: NAD oxidoreductase; EC 1.1.1.27) were extracted from the high‐speed supernatant fraction of nerve homogenates. Concentrations of iodoacetate as low as 2.5 mm could completely block activity of glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase but had no effect on lactate dehydrogenase. These findings are in accord with the classical concept shown earlier for muscle that iodoacetate blocks glycolysis by its action on glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase. A complete block of activity of the enzyme was found after treatment with 2 to 5 mm‐iodoacetate for a period of 10 min and such blocks were irreversible for at least 3 h. Glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase activity was NAD specific, with NADP unable to substitute for NAD. The results are discussed in relation to the effect of iodoacetate in blocking glycolysis and in turn the fast axoplasmic transport of materials in mammalian nerve.