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Apparent Reversal of Xanthine Oxidase Action in Chlorella vulgaris starved of Nitrogen

Abstract

IN previous publications1–3 a marked stimulation of the endogenous respiration of Chlorella vulgaris and other organisms by numerous purines and purine analogues was described. Several lines of evidence led to the suggestion that these results were best explained by a cyclical oxidation and reduction of the purines, coupled to oxygen on one hand and to the oxidation of fatty acids on the other. This assigns to xanthine oxidase a role in terminal oxidation. This communication presents evidence for an apparent reduction of oxidized purines in Chlorella, lending support to the existence of a purine oxidation-reduction cycle.

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BACH, M. Apparent Reversal of Xanthine Oxidase Action in Chlorella vulgaris starved of Nitrogen. Nature 189, 485–486 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1038/189485b0

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