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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 1997  > August  >
In the Laboratory
Extraction and Assay of Ornithine Decarboxylase: A Laboratory Experiment that Introduces Principles of Radiochemical Enzymatic Assay
William H. Voige
Department of Chemistry, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Cover
August 1997
Vol. 74 No. 8
p. 988
Abstract
A laboratory experiment involving preparation of an Escherichia coli extract in which ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is quantitated by radiochemical assay has been developed. The assay is based on the ODC-catalyzed decarboxylation of [1-14C]ornithine to yield 14CO2. Procedures for growth of the bacteria, preparation of the extract and assay of the enzyme are described. Points to be considered before adopting the experiment and potential problems are discussed. The experiment gives students experience in laboratory procedures, safety precautions and calculations associated with the use of radioactive compounds. It introduces principles common in radiochemical work and illustrates sensitivity and selectivity of a well-designed enzyme assay. It is often the first time students encounter a situation in which enzyme stereospecificity must be taken into account in a laboratory procedure. The experiment is suitable for use in biochemistry, radiochemistry or chemically-oriented cell biology laboratory classes.
More Information
*  Citation
 Voige, William H. J. Chem. Educ. 1997 74 988.
*  Keywords
 Biochemistry, Laboratory Instruction, Enzymes, Nuclear/Radiochemistry, Stereochemistry
*  History
 Created:
Last Updated:		 July 28, 1999
June 23, 2005
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