Succinic dehydrogenase activity, proteinbound sulfhydryl and disulfide groups, all having relationship to growth, metabolism, or maturation of epidermal cells, were studied in 102 specimens of human skin.
Succinic dehydrogenase plays a vital role in the respiratory processes of most living cells and forms a link in the chain of reactions concerned with the oxidation of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins.1 Sites of succinic dehydrogenase activity have been found to correlate with regions of cell growth in various contexts. In the uterine cervix manifestation of this enzyme activity occurs in the basal layer of normally maturing portio vaginalis epithelium, but is found more diffusely through metaplastic epithelium and in squamous-cell carcinoma.2
Protein-bound sulfhydryl groups are essential for the activity of many enzymes.3 They serve as protein links and are important in varied cell functions. Sulfhydryl groups have an important function in