Mammalian forebrain ketimine reductase identified as μ-crystallin; potential regulation by thyroid hormones

Ketimine reductase (E. C. 1.5.1.25) was purified to apparent homogeneity from lamb forebrain by means of a rapid multi-step chromatography protocol. The purified enzyme was identified by MS/MS (mass spectrometry) as mu-crystallin. The identity was confirmed by heterologously expressing human mu-crystallin in Escherichia coli and subsequent chromatographic purification of the protein. The purified human mu-crystallin was confirmed to have ketimine reductase activity with a maximum specific activity similar to that of native ovine ketimine reductase, and was found to catalyse a sequential reaction. The enzyme substrates are putative neuromodulator/transmitters. The thyroid hormone 3,5,3'-L-triiodothyronine (T3) was found to be a strong reversible competitive inhibitor, and may have a novel role in regulating their concentrations. mu-Crystallin is also involved in intracellular T3 storage and transport. This research is the first to demonstrate an enzyme function for mu-crystallin. This newly demonstrated enzymatic activity identifies a new role for thyroid hormones in regulating mammalian amino acid metabolism, and a possible reciprocal role of enzyme activity regulating bioavailability of intracellular T3.