Arginase characteristics in an ammoniotele
Sisini, A.; Pinna, G.G.; Virdis-Usai, R.
Bollettino della Societa Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale 57(14): 1510-1516
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-8771 PMID: 7295415 Document Number: 170434
Arginase (EC 3.5.3.1.) is active in the hepatopancreas, gills and pincer muscle of the ammoniotele Carcinus maenas. Its activity in the hepatopancreas is mainly localized in mitochondria. The enzyme becomes inactive at 37 degrees C if the assay is carried out without previous incubation with Mn2+; the optimum temperature for the fully activated enzyme is 47 degrees C. Two fractions showing arginase activity can be separated on DEAE-cellulose at pH 8.3, the most active being eluted by a linear gradient of KCl at a concentration of 0.3 divided by 0.4M, the other with a buffer front. Since ornithine transaminase (EC 2.6.1.13.) activity has been detected in the hepatopancreas, arginase activity in this organ is possibly related to ornithine catabolism leading to proline and glutamate.