Regional distribution of arylamine and arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase activities in the rat brain

Abstract

Arylamine and arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activities were measured separately in different areas of the rat brain using specific substrates. Relatively high levels of arylamine NAT activity were detected in all areas examined. Arylalkylamine NAT activity in these areas ranged from 2 to 5% of the arylamine NAT activity. The possibility that arylamine NAT may be involved in the control of kynurenine metabolism in the brain is discussed.