Research Institute for Wakan-Yaku, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sugitani, Japan.
A methylguanidine-synthesizing enzyme localized in rat liver microsomes produces methylguanidine via the intermediates creatone A and creatone B from the substrate, creatol, a substance produced from creatinine mainly by reaction with hydroxyl radicals. This enzyme has been identified as L-gulono-gamma-lactone oxidase (EC 1.1.3.8). However, no corresponding activity was found in extracts from human livers.