Studies on Squalene Epoxidase of Rat Liver

Abstract

Rat liver microsomes previously heated to 50" for 5 mm accumulate 2,3-oxidosqualene on incubation with squalene.Squalene epoxidase activity can be assayed either with squalene and heated microsomes or with lO,ll-dihydrosqualene and intact microsomes.In common with other monooxygenases, the epoxidase requires TPNH and molecular oxygen.Both a soluble fraction of rat liver and microsomes are necessary for enzyme activity.Carbon monoxide or potassium cyanide fall to inhibit squalene epoxidation.