Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.16) was purified 74-fold from wheat grain (Triticum durum Desf.). The enzyme appears quite specific for succinic semialdehyde (SSA). Both NAD and NADP support the oxidation of the substrate, but the former is 7-fold more active than the latter. The optimum pH for activity is around 9; the enzyme is stable in the pH range 6-9 and retains its whole activity up to 40°C. The enzyme activity is strongly dependent on the presence of mercaptoethanol, other thiol compounds being much less effective. Kinetic data support the formation of a ternary complex between enzyme, substrate and coenzyme. The K m for SSA and for NAD are 7.4x10(-6) M and 2x10(-4) M, respectively. The molecular weight of the enzyme protein was estimated by gel-filtration to be about 130,000.