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Science 3 July 1970:
Vol. 169. no. 3940, pp. 74 - 76
DOI: 10.1126/science.169.3940.74
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Articles

Absence of Cystathionase in Human Fetal Liver: Is Cystine Essential?

John A. Sturman 1, Gerald Gaull 2, and Neils C. R. Raiha 3

1 Department of Pediatric Research, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Mental Retardation, Staten Island 10314
2 Department of Pediatric Research, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Mental Retardation, and Department of Pediatrics, Mt. Sinai Hospital School of Medicine, New York 10029
3 I and II Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki 29, Finland

Cystathionase activity is not measurable in the livers of 24 human fetuses and 3 premature infants, and the concentration of cystathionine in the liver is higher than that of the brain. The placenta does not subserve the trans-sulfuration function. Cystine (or cysteine) thus may be an essential amino acid in the immature human.


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