Enzymes of Energy Metabolism in the Mudpuppy Retina

Abstract: The distributions of glycogen phosphorylase, hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, malate dehydrogenase, β-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase, and adenylokinase were determined in the mudpuppy retina. Distinct differences were found in regard to the glycolytic and oxidative capacities of the various layers. In the outer retina, citric acid cycle enzymes were high while glycolytic enzymes were low. Synaptic zones were distinctly enriched in all energy-producing enzymes. Mudpuppy photoreceptors were found to be rich in phosphorylase but poor in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, suggestive of some evolutionary divergence from mammals in the metabolic machinery which is used to support the visual process.