Studies on the Distribution of Pantothenic Acid, Coenzyme A and their Intermediates in Rat Liver

Pantothenic acid (PaA), coenzyme A (CoA) and their intermediates in rat liver were fractionated by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography and identified by paper chromatography. It was noted that among PaA derivatives, CoA was present in the largest amount, followed by 4′-phosphopantetheine (P-PaSH) and free PaA was found only in a very small amount.2. 14C-PaA was administered to PaA deficient rats and PaA, P-PaSH and CoA in the liver were fractionated with a DEAE-cellulose column chromatography and it was observed that 14C-PaA was incorporated into each of the three fractions.3. Changes in incorporation of 14C-PaA into each fraction with time was observed. The incorporation of 14C-PaA into P-PaSH was earlier than into CoA. This suggests that the isolated P-PaSH is not a decomposed product from CoA but is a precursor for CoA synthesis.