A rat liver system that catalyses a pyridoxal phosphate-independent alpha beta-eliminto.

1. Attempts were made to demonstrate the presence of pyridoxal phosphate in the rat liver system catalysing the alphabeta-elimination of l-serine O-sulphate. 2. Methods designed to resolve protein-bound cofactor, spectroscopic examination of a purified enzyme system and attempted reactivation of apo-(alanine aminotransferase) failed to demonstrate the presence of pyridoxal phosphate. 3. The activity of the alphabeta-eliminating system remained constant in vitamin B(6)-deficient animals even though the activities of other pyridoxal phosphate-dependent systems fell markedly. 4. The metabolism of l-serine O[(35)S]-sulphate in vivo appears to be normal in vitamin B(6)-deficient animals. 5. No incorporation of tritium into the alphabeta-eliminating system occurred after administration of tritiated pyridoxine to experimental animals.