The non-specific esterases of the lung of the house mouse, M. musculus, were examined by polyacrylamide electrophoresis and by isoelectric focusing. At least 13 different esterases were distinguished and identified, mainly by their catalytic properties, susceptibility to inhibition, developmental patterns and phenotypic variation amongst different strains. A list of diagnostic features of the 13 esterases was presented. None of the esterases was lung-specific. However, the pattern of esterases found in the adult lung was characteristic of that organ. It was pointed out that this pattern is associated with the high degree of tissue differentiation in the adult lung. At least 8 esterases were found which belong to the isozyme system of carboxylesterase EC 3.1.1.1, under the control of genes located on chromosome 8. These esterases accounted for about 90% of the esterase activity in the lung.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.