Biosynthesis of carnosine and related peptides by glial cells in primary culture.

Synthesis of carnosine (beta-alanylhistidine) and related peptides by glial cells in primary culture could be demonstrated. After incubation with [3H]beta-alanine, the radiolabeled dipeptides could be isolated from the cell extract and the culture medium. With gamma-amino[3H]butyric acid, however, rapid degradation of the tracer without significant synthesis of homocarnosine (gamma-aminobutyrylhistidine) was observed. Aminooxyacetic acid, a known inhibitor of gamma-aminobutyryl:alpha-ketoglutarate aminotransferase, inhibits the degradation of gamma-amino[3H]butyric acid very strongly and of [3H]beta-alanine partially. After preincubation of the cells with this inhibitor, incorporation of gamma-amino[3H]butyric acid into homocarnosine and related peptides could be demonstrated.