Solubilization and partial purification of mitochondrial delta-aminolevulinate synthase from fetal rat liver

A particulate preparation of δ-aminolevulinate synthase (EC 2.3.1.37) from fetal rat liver mitochondria has been rendered soluble by treatment with the non-ionic detergent Lubrol WX-4. A partial purification of the detergent-solubilized enzyme was achieved by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. Unlike the adult mitochondrial enzyme, δ-aminolevulinate synthase from fetal liver is inhibited by NaCl but not by hemin.