Characterization of alkaline phosphatase from primordial germ cells and ontogenesis of this enzyme in the mouse

The physical characteristics of nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (ALP) from both mouse primordial germ cells (PGCs) and gonads were compared with corresponding samples from other organs at different developmental stages. Combining a cytochemical approach with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the use of specific inhibitors, as well as neuraminidase treatment, heat sensitivity tests, and molecular-mass criteria, it was found that only one ALP isoenzyme was present in all organs up to day 14 of gestation. Distinct ALP isoenzymes first appeared in the small intestine on day 15 and, thereafter, in all other tissues except the gonads. In these organs, the embryonal ALP isoenzyme seemed to be retained until adulthood. Although the placenta had a different ALP isoenzyme than the embryo at all stages, this isoenzyme was found to be similar to that in the maternal decidual tissues. Therefore, we conclude that the mouse embryo only expresses one type of ALP that can be considered "embryonal", regardless of the organ in which it first appears, and that this ALP is conserved in the gonads.     

Characterisation of rat and human tissue alkaline phosphatase isoforms by high-performance liquid chromatography and agarose gel electrophoresis

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) exists as several isoenzymes and many isoforms present in tissues and serum. The objective of this study was to separate tissue ALP forms in rats and humans and characterise their properties. The materials for the investigation were intestinal, bone, and liver tissue of rats and commercially available human preparations of tissue ALP. Two methods of separation were used: high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and agarose gel electrophoresis. Using HPLC in the rat tissues, two ALP isoforms in the intestine, one in the bone, and three in the liver were identified. In humans three intestinal, two bone, and one liver isoform were resolved. Electrophoresis showed two ALP activity bands in rat intestine, one wide band in the bone, and three bands in the liver. ALP of human tissues was visualised as a single wide band, with a different mobility observed for each organ. In both species the presence of a form with properties characteristic of the bone isoform of the tissue-nonspecific isoenzyme was observed in the intestine. HPLC offers a higher resolution than electrophoresis with respect to tissue ALP fractions in rats and in humans, but electrophoresis visualises high-molecular-mass insoluble enzyme forms.     

Kinetics of bromodichloromethane metabolism by cytochrome P450 isoenzymes in human liver microsomes

The kinetic constants for the metabolism of bromodichloromethane (BDCM) by three cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzymes have been measured in human liver microsomes. The three CYP isoenzymes, CYP2E1, CYP1A2 and CYP3A4, have been identified previously as important in the metabolism of this compound. To measure the constants for each isoenzyme, enzyme-specific inhibitory antibodies were used to block the activities for two of the three isoenzymes. CYP2E1 was found to have the lowest K(m), 2.9 microM, and the highest catalytic activity, k(cat). The K(m) for the other isoenzymes, CYP1A2 and CYP3A4, were about 60 microM with lower values of k(cat). Apparent kinetic constants obtained from two microsomal samples that were not inhibited were consistent with these results. In addition, 11 human microsome samples characterized for 10 CYP activities were correlated with the metabolism of 9.7 microM BDCM by each sample; statistical analysis showed a correlation with CYP2E1 activity only. This result is consistent with the finding that CYP2E1 is the only isoenzyme with a K(m) lower than the BDCM concentration used. The kinetic constants obtained from the inhibited microsomes were compared to similar results from recombinant human isoenzyme preparations containing only one CYP isoenzyme. The results for CYP2E1 were very similar, while the results for CYP1A2 were somewhat less similar and there was a substantial divergence for CYP3A4 in the two systems. Possible reasons for these differences are differing levels of CYP reductase and/or differing makeup of the membrane lipid environment for the CYPs. Because of the low levels of BDCM exposure from drinking water, it appears likely that CYP2E1 will dominate hepatic CYP-mediated BDCM metabolism in humans.     

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of rat brain acetylcholinesterase: isoenzymes of normal rat brain

Abstract— Triton-solubilized acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7) of rat brain was submitted to vertical flatbed polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Three anodally migrating isoenzyme zones with low relative mobilities could be resolved, each of which on quantitative densitometry appeared to consist of more than one subzone. More than 50 per cent of the total AChE activity was exhibited by the isoenzyme zone closest to the origin (isoenzyme zone 3). Regional differences in AChE isoenzyme activity were quantitative only with the caudate-putamen complex, midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata exhibiting relatively high content of the three isoenzymes and the cerebral cortex and olfactory bulb possessing weak isoenzyme activities. Intermediate levels of isoenzyme activities were observed in the cerebellum and hippocampus. In all areas examined, the relative percentage values for each isoenzyme remained constant. AChE isoenzymes from the forebrain, brain stem and cerebellum of 15- and 30-day-old rats appeared to have identical patterns. In brain stem, no quantitative differences could be detected in the isoenzyme activities between 15 and 30 days of age. At both ages, the isoenzymes of male and female rats did not show any qualitative differences. The single cholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8) isoenzyme which could be identified in brain stem supernatants of 30-day-old rats was weakly reactive and appeared to have the same relative mobility as the major acetylcholinesterase zone, zone 3. Acetylcholinesterase isoenzymes failed to demonstrate any differential response toward varying concentrations of inhibitors and to changes in pH. While there were basic similarities in the acetylcholinesterase and cholinesterase isoenzyme patterns of brain, serum, liver, skeletal muscle and intestine, brain alone exhibited a marked preponderance of the acetylcholinesterase isoenzyme zone 3.     

Purification and partial characterization of high and low activity carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes from Malaclemys terrapin centrata.

1. High activity (CA C) and low activity (CA B) carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes have been purified from turtle erythrocytes. 2. The two isoenzymes differed in CO2 hydration specific activity by 36-fold. 3. The low activity isoenzyme contained one half-cystine residue, whereas the high activity isoenzyme contained four half-cystines and required a reducing environment to maintain activity. Both isoenzymes contained zinc. 4. Molecular weights of 28,500 and 30,400 daltons were established for the low and high activity isoenzymes respectively. 5. Both isoenzymes were inhibited by acetazolamide, but only the high activity isoenzyme was inhibited by parachloromercuribenzoate. 6. The low activity isoenzyme was present in the erythrocytes at about 8-10 times the concentration of the high activity isoenzyme. 7. The high activity isoenzyme cross-reacted with antibodies prepared against pure chicken carbonic anhydrase C.     

Phosphofructokinase D from the epithelial cells of rat small intestine.

Phosphofructokinase from the epithelial cells of rat small intestine was characterized with respect to isoenzyme type in a comparison of its properties with those of the skeletal-muscle, brain and major liver isoenzymes by using five different techniques, namely electrophoresis on cellulose acetate and in polyacrylamide gels, chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, (NH4)2SO4 precipitation and immunotitration. When precautions were taken to inhibit the formation of active proteolytic artifacts by the action of endogenous proteinases, each technique revealed that rat intestinal mucosa contains only a single form of phosphofructokinase. The mucosal isoenzyme was found to be very similar to, although not identical with, the major liver isoenzyme and to be quite distinct from the skeletal-muscle isoenzyme when studied by the techniques of cellulose acetate electrophoresis, chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and immunotitration, whereas the converse was true when studied by the techniques of (NH4)2SO4 precipitation and polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The mucosal isoenzyme was distinct from the brain isoenzyme when studied by each of the five techniques. Tsai & Kemp [(1973) J. Biol. Chem. 248, 785-792] reported that animal tissues contain three principal isoenzymes of phosphofructokinase, type A found as the sole isoenzyme in skeletal muscle, type B found as the major isoenzyme in liver and type C found as a significant isoenzyme in brain. Phosphofructokinase from mucosa is distinct from each of these isoenzymes. Following the nomenclature of Tsai & Kemp (1973), the isoenzyme from the mucosa of rat intestinal epithelial cells is designated phosphofructokinase D. The mucosal and liver isoenzymes behave so similarly with respect to their charge and immunological characteristics, on which the typing of isoenzymes is conventionally based, that it is likely that some tissues reported to contain the liver isoenzyme contain instead the mucosal isoenzyme.     

POLYACRYLAMIDE GEL ELECTROPHORESIS OF RAT BRAIN ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE: ISOENZYME CHANGES FOLLOWING PARATHION POISONING1

Brain acetylcholinesterase (EC 3. 1. 1. 7) isoenzymes of 15- and 30-day-old rats were found to be inhibited by 2.5 mg/kg and 1.25 mg/kg dosage levels of intraperitoneally administered parathion (E-605; O, O-diethyl-p-nitrophenyl phosphorothionate). With 2.5 mg/kg dose level, the response of isoenzymes in 15- and 30-day-old rats was similar. At both ages, there was no significant sex difference in the degree of depression of the isoenzymes. There were no significant regional differences in the degree of inhibition of acetylcholinesterase isoenzymes in the rat brain. At 1.25 mg/kg dosage level, a differential isoenzyme inhibition was evident, with the major isoenzyme (isoenzyme 3) exhibiting the greatest sensitivity to the inhibitor in all brain areas examined. The course of isoenzyme depression and recovery following the administration of parathion differed in brain, serum and skeletal muscle. Whereas brain isoenzymes exhibited most marked inhibition at 2 h after injection, inhibition of serum and skeletal muscle isoenzymes was more prolonged. At 4 h after injection, these isoenzymes were still inhibited while brain isoenzymes had recovered to a substantial degree. Twenty four h following the injection of parathion, when brain and serum acetylcholinesterase isoenzymes had returned to control activity levels, isoenzymes of skeletal muscle demonstrated only minimal recovery.     

Comparison of human alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes. Structural evidence for three protein classes.

The structural relationships among human alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes from placenta, bone, kidney, liver and intestine were investigated by using three criteria. 1. Immunochemical characterization by using monospecific antisera prepared against either the placental isoenzyme or the liver isoenzyme distinguishes two antigenic groups: bone, kidney and liver isoenzymes cross-react with anti-(liver isoenzyme) serum, and the intestinal and placental isoenzymes cross-react with the anti-(placental isoenzyme) antiserum. 2. High-resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis of the 32P-labelled denatured subunits of each enzyme distinguishes three groups of alkaline phosphatase: (a) the liver, bone and kidney isoenzymes, each with a unique isoelectric point in the native form, can be converted into a single form by treatment with neuraminidase; (b) the placental isoenzyme, whose position also shifts after removal of sialic acid; and (c) the intestinal isoenzyme, which is distinct from all other phosphatases and is unaffected by neuraminidase digestion. 3. Finally, we compare the primary structure of each enzyme by partial proteolytic-peptide 'mapping' in dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gels. These results confirm the primary structural identity of liver and kidney isoenzymes and the non-identity of the placental and intestinal forms. These data provide direct experimental support for the existence of at least three alkaline phosphatase genes.     

Protective effects of antioxidants on age-related changes in the electrophoretic patterns of cardiac LDH,hepatic ALP and serum proteins in male golden hamster

Basal and antioxidant-induced changes in the isoenzyme and isoform patterns of cardiac lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) and hepatic alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1), respectively, as well as the electrophoretic patterns of serum proteins in different age groups of male golden hamster were compared. This is to test whether age-induced changes could be corrected by long-term administration of antioxidants. Data indicated that aging causes no remarkable change in the total activity of either cardiac LDH or hepatic ALP, however a significant increase in the fractional activity of some cardiac LDH isoenzymes and a significant reduction in the fractional activity of some hepatic ALP isoforms were induced by aging. On the other hand, long-term administration of antioxidants appeared to manifest a clear counteracting effect on the age-related changes in old age. This effect was indicated in the fractional activity of cardiac LDH isoenzymes and of hepatic ALP isoforms. The present study has also shown a wide-range variation in serum protein patterns due to aging and/or antioxidant administration, which indirectly reflect a parallel variation in the process of gene expression and/or proteolytic activity.     

Kinetic Properties of the ATP-Dependent Phosphofructokinase Isoenzymes from Cucumber Seeds

Two isoenzymes of ATP:D-fructose-6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase(phosphofructokinase) are present in germinating cucumber seeds,one in the plastids and the other in the cytosol. Both isoenzymeswere purified and some of their kinetic properties studied.These two isoenzymes differ kinetically, the pH optimum of thecytosolic isoenzyme being 7.2 and that of the plastid isoenzymebeing 8.0. Both isoenzymes are activated by phosphate althoughthe concentration required for activation is much lower forthe plastid isoenzyme than cytosolic isoenzyme. Phosphate increasesthe affinity of the isoenzymes for fructose-6-phosphate andalso changes the sigmoidal kinetics of the plastid isoenzymefor this substrate to hyperbolic kinetics at pH 7.2. The fructose-6-phosphatesaturation kinetics of the cytosolic isoenzyme becomes moresigmoidal with an increase in pH while the opposite is truefor the plastid isoenzyme. The cytosolic isoenzyme has a higheraffinity for fructose-6-phosphate at pH 7.2 than pH 8.0 whilethe affinity of the plastid isoenzyme for fructose-6-phosphateis highest at pH 8.0. Both isoenzymes are inhibited by ATP andthe extent of inhibition is pH dependent. The cytosolic isoenzymeis more sensitive to ATP inhibition at pH 8.0 than pH 7.2 whilethe opposite holds for the plastid isoenzyme. Magnesium alleviatesthe ATP inhibition of the plastid isoenzyme suggesting thatfree ATP is the inhibitory form. In contrast the ATP inhibitionof the cytosolic isoenzyme apparently appears to be caused bythe magnesium-ATP complex. (Received May 19, 1987; Accepted January 18, 1988)     

3-Deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonic acid 7-phosphate synthase mutants of Salmonella typhimurium.

The first committed step of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis in Salmonella typhimurium was shown to be catalyzed by three isoenzymes of 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonic acid 7-phosphate (DAHP) synthase. Mutations in each of the genes specifying the isoenzymes were isolated and mapped. aroG, the structural gene for the phenylalanine-inhibitable isoenzyme, was linked to gal, and aroH, the structural gene for the tryptophan-inhibitable isoenzyme, was linked to aroE. aroF, the structural gene for the tyrosine-inhibitable isoenzyme, was linked to pheA and tyrA, which specify the phenylalanine- and tyrosine-specific branch-point enzymes, respectively. The phenylalanine-inhibitable isoenzyme was the predominant DAHP synthase in wild-type cells, and only the tryosine-inhibitable isoenzyme was completely repressed, as well as inhibited, by low levels of its allosteric effector. The DAHP synthase isoenzymes were separated by chromatography on diethylaminoethyl-cellulose with a phosphate gradient which contained enolpyruvate phosphate to protect the otherwise unstable phenylalanine-inhibitable isoenzyme. No cross-inhibition of either the tyrosine- or phenylalanine-inhibitable isoenzyme was observed at inhibitor concentrations up to 1 mM. The tryptophan-inhibitable isoenzyme was partially purified from extracts of a strain lacking the other two isoenzymes and shown to be inhibited about 30% by 1 mM tryptophan. A preliminary study of interference by tryptophan in the periodate-thiobarbiturate assay for DAHP suggested a combined effect of tryptophan and erythrose 4-phosphate, or an aldehydic compound resulting from degradation of erythrose 4-phosphate by periodate.     

Pyruvate kinase isoenzymes in chromatin extracts of Ehrlich ascites tumour, Morris hepatoma 7777 and normal mouse and rat livers

A pyruvate kinase (EC 2.7.1.40) variant inhibited by L-cysteine has been found in Ehrlich ascites tumour and Morris hepatoma 7777, but not in normal mouse and rat livers used for comparison. Chromatin extracts of all materials studied contained three pyruvate kinase isoenzymes (alpha, beta, gamma) which showed the greatest electrophoretic mobility in normal mouse and rat livers. The isoenzyme mobility diminished in both tumour chromatin extracts, and the slow migrating gamma isoenzyme exhibited sensitivity to L-cysteine inhibition. This gamma isoenzyme sensitive to L-cysteine might be considered as a tumour marker. All tumour pyruvate kinase isoenzymes were insensitive to normal signal molecules, i.e., to ATP and fructose 1,6-diphosphate, which regulate liver pyruvate kinase activity. It was, however, noted that the binding of pyruvate kinase isoenzymes to DNA is connected with a diminution in their catalytic activity.     

Competitive inhibition of hexokinase isoenzymes by mercurials.

A difference in the mode of inhibition of hexokinase [EC 2.7.1.1] isoenzymes by p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonate was confirmed with respect to glucose between two Type I isoenzyme preparations purified from the kidney and spleen of rat. Essentially the same difference was observed when galactose was used as the substrate in place of glucose, as the kidney Type I isoenzyme was inhibited in a competitive manner while the spleen counterpart was inhibited in a non-competitive manner by sulfhydryl inhibitor. Both the Type I isoenzymes, however, were competitively inhibited by other mercurial sulfhydryl inhibitors, methyl and butyl mercuric chlorides. On the other hand, the Type II hexokinase isoenzymes purified from the muscle, heart, and spleen were all inhibited competitively by p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonate with respect to glucose. The mechanism of competitive inhibition of the hexokinase isoenzymes by sulfhydryl inhibitors was discussed in view of the difference in the mode of action of the mercurials with different isoenzymes.     

Two Escherichia coli fructose-6-phosphate kinases. Preparative purification, oligomeric structure and immunological studies.

Two isoenzymes of fructose-6-phosphate kinase (ATP: D-fructose-6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.11) are present in Escherichia coli K12. One isoenzyme is allosterically inhibited by phosphoenolpyruvate and activated by nucleoside diphosphates, and is a tetramer composed of four subunits of molecular weight 35 000. A simple method for the purification of this enzyme is reported. Equilibrium dialysis indicates that there are four ATP sites and four GDP sites per tetramer. The second isoenzyme is present in low quantity in wild type bacteria. This enzyme is devoid of allosteric properties. A complete method of purification is described. Determination of its molecular weight under native and denaturing conditions indicates that this protein is a dimer composed of two subunits of molecular weight 36 000. Antisera have been produced against both isoenzymes. The antiserum against one isoenzyme does not cross-react with the other. Discrepancies between our results and those of other workers are discussed.     

Separation, purification, and comparative properties of chloroplast and cytoplasmic phosphoglycerate kinase from barley leaves

The chloroplast and cytoplasmic isoenzymes of phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) (EC. 2.7.2.3) from Hordeum vulgare leaves have been separated and purified for the first time to apparent homogeneity. The method for purifying the isoenzymes is described here and consists of DEAE Sephacel chromatography followed by affinity chromatography on ATP Sepharose. This consistently provided a 500- to 900-fold purification of each isoenzyme. Most of the total PGK in green barley leaves was found to be in the chloroplasts with only 10% in the cytoplasm. The immunological properties of the two isoenzymes were compared. The antisera raised to the separate isoenzymes showed cross-reactivity, although there is evidence that each isoenzyme possesses some distinct epitopes. The isoenzymes differ in overall charge with isoelectric points at 5.2 and 5.4 for the chloroplast and cytoplasmic isoenzymes, respectively. Molecular mass estimations by gel filtration and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis provided similar values of approximately 38 kilodaltons for each isoenzyme, some 4 to 5 kilodaltons less than the values calculated from the cDNA sequences of the wheat isoenzymes. The isoenzymes have broadly similar pH optima of pH 7 to 8. The cytoplasmic isoenzyme is more thermally stable than the chloroplast isoenzyme. Further studies are now in progress to compare both the regulatory properties of the isoenzymes and also their three-dimensional structures as compared with the yeast enzyme.     

Phosphofructokinase from the epithelial cells of rat small intestine. Comparison of regulatory properties with those of skeletal muscle, liver and brain phosphofructokinase

The regulatory properties of phosphofructokinase from rat mucosa, liver, brain and muscle were investigated. Mucosal phosphofructokinase displayed cooperativity with respect to fructose 6-phosphate at pH 7.0 and so did the muscle, brain and liver isoenzymes. All these four isoenzymes were inhibited by ATP, the mucosal isoenzyme being the least inhibited. They were also inhibited by citrate and creatine phosphate. AMP, ADP, glucose 1,6-diphosphate, fructose 2,6-bisphosphate and inorganic phosphate were all strong activators for the mucosal, brain, liver and muscle phosphofructokinase, but the mucosal isoenzyme was found to be more activated than the others, accounting for the higher rates of glycolysis observed in mucosa. The results suggest that mucosal phosphofructokinase is unique and different from all the other isoenzymes.     

Influence of Mg2+ ions on the activity measurement of isoenzymes of alkaline phosphatase

The activity of alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes from liver, bone and small intestine is differently influenced by Mg2+. The stimulation of isoenzymes from liver and bone is higher by Mg2+ ions than in the case of isoenzymes from small intestine. An obligatory preincubation of the serum sample in a buffer-Mg2+ mixture is necessary to avoid difficulties which may arise in the kinetic determination of alkaline phosphatase activity under extreme conditions, i.e. low Mg2+ concentration in serum, the necessity of dilution of the sample or the high isoenzyme content from liver or bone in the serum.     

Heat-stable alkaline phosphatase in uterine cancer, with special reference to its histochemical heat-stability and the L-phenylalanine inhibition test

Summary We report a histochemical study of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in normal cells of the female reproductive system, in pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions of the uterine cervix and in endometrial cancer to ascertain the incidence of ALP and its isoenzyme type. For this purpose, serial sections were subjected to heat stability andl-phenylalanine (LP) inhibition tests.The Regan-like isoenzyme, a heat-stable and LP-sensitive ALP, which has been thought to derive only from cancer or the placenta, was found in uterine cervical reserve cells and endometrial luminal surface lining cells. In contrast, ALP activity in endometrial glandular cells was found to be heat and LP sensitive.Of 183 cases of cervical neoplasia, 60 (33%) manifested non-specific ALP activity. One dysplasia and two invasive cancer cases manifested the Regan-like isoenzyme. The other 36 classifiable lesions had small-intestine ALP-like activity (marked heat and LP sensitivity) or a liver ALP-like isoenzyme (marked heat and slight LP sensitivity).Of 42 cases of endometrial cancer, all cases manifested non-specific ALP activity. Seven endometrial cancers exhibited the Regan-like isoenzyme. The other 19 cases manifested either small intestine of liver ALP-like isoenzyme.Our findings indicate that in the course of uterine carinogenesis, the ALP isoenzyme of reserve cell and endometrial glandular cells undergo a change and that enzyme deviation occurs.     

The purification and molecular properties of the tryptophan-sensitive 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate synthase from Neurospora crassa.

Neurospora crassa contains three isoenzymes of 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate synthase, which are inhibited by tyrosine, tryptophan and phenylalanine respectively, and it was estimated that the relative proportions of the total activity were 54%, 14% and 32% respectively. The tryptophan-sensitive isoenzyme was purified to homogeneity as judged by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and ultracentrifugation. The tyrosine-sensitive and phenylalanine-sensitive isoenzymes were only partially purified. The three isoenzymes were completely separated from each other, however, and can be distinguished by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and Ultrogel AcA-34 and polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate indicated that the tryptophan-sensitive isoenzyme contained one type of subunit of molecular weight 52000. The molecular weight of the native enzyme was found to be 200000 by sedimentation-equilibrium centrifugation, indicating that the enzyme is a tetramer, and the results of cross-linking and gel-filtration studies were in agreement with this conclusion.     

LDH isoenzymes in the axial muscle of the sharks Galeus melastomus and Etmopterus spinax

The lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme patterns have been studied in the axial muscles of the sharks Etmopterus and Galeus. Samples from red, intermediate and white muscle fibres were run separately on a polyacrylamide slab-gel. Both sharks have three isoenzymes; all three are present in the red and intermediate fibres, while the white fibres contain only the two slowest-moving isoenzymes. The red fibres of both sharks contain most of the fastest-moving isoenzyme.
The isoenzymes have a high tolerance towards urea; the slow moving isoenzyme is inhibited at about 2 m urea, the next isoenzyme at 4-6 M urea, and some activity of the fast-moving isoenzyme is still present at 10 M urea in the incubation medium. The LDH distribution in the fibre types is studied by histochemistry on frozen sections.