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Increase of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity is widely used as a surrogate marker for tissue damage. Two ALT isoforms, ALT1 and ALT2, have been cloned recently in mammals. The study investigated the source of elevated ALT activity in serum of dogs treated with a hepatotoxic compound.

ALT activity was measured by enzyme assay. Immunoblot analysis was performed using generated specific peptide antibodies against dog ALTs. LC-MS/MS-based proteomics analysis was conducted to independently identify dog ALT peptides. Serum samples immunodepleted of major serum components by Seppro IgY-D11 microbead spin column were evaluated by the immunoblot analysis, and compared with those of the ALT activity.

Involvement of ALT enzyme(s) is consistent with the following observations: 1) all the substrates (l-alanine and α-ketoglutarate) were …