Isoenzyme spectra of lactate dehydrogenase in tissues of mammals of the Mustelidae family

A comparative analysis of distribution of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes in the heart, kidneys, lungs, spleen, liver and skeletal muscle was performed in 4 species of carnivorous mammals (Mustelidae family): American mink (Mustela vison Schr.), polecat (Mustela putorius L.), sable (Martes zibellina L.) and pine marten (Martes martes L.). It was found that in the mink, unlike pure terrestrial mustelids (polecat, sable, pine marten), the anaerobic LDH-5 fraction was predominant in the LDH isoenzyme spectrum in the liver, skeletal muscle, lungs and spleen. In all species studied, aerobic B(H) subunits of LDH were found to prevail in the heart and kidney, whereas anaerobic A(M) subunits prevailed in the liver and spleen. The tissue- and species-specific features of LDH isoenzyme spectra revealed in different mustelids reflect the biochemical adaptation of the animals to environmental conditions.