AMINO ACID DECARBOXYLASES OF URTICARIA PIGMENTOSA MAST CELLS

[摘要] Evidence of the presence of both histidine decarboxylase and 5 -hydroxytryptophan (5 -HTP) decarboxylase has been investigated in a solitary urticaria pigmentosa lesion removed from the thigh of a two year old boy. Although an active histidine decarboxylase was found, no 5 -HTP decarboxylase activity could be detected in this tissue. This result supports the previously held opinion that human mast cells lack the capacity to synthesize serotonin.