Abstract
THE enzyme which catalyses the oxidation of purine derivatives xanthine and hypoxanthine to uric acid has been demonstrated in several insects1–5. In the silkworm, Bombyx mori, it functions as a dehydrogenase. This inference is based on the fact that the formation of uric acid and oxygen consumption of the fat body homogenates show marked increases only when methylene blue is present as a hydrogen carrier6,7. The inference seems to be justifiable from the work of Remy et al.6 using chicken liver. To gain further knowledge of the nature of xanthine dehydrogenase in the silkworm, it will be desirable to use the highly purified enzyme as in milk9,10 and liver11 oxidase preparations.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Leifert, H., Zool. Jahrb., Abt. allgem. Zool. u. Physiol. Tiere, 55, 131 (1935).
Anderson, A. D., and Patton, R. L., J. Exp. Zool., 128, 443 (1955).
Irzykiewicz, H. M., Austral. J. Biol. Sci., 8, 369 (1955).
Sigematsu, H., J. Seric. Sci. Jap., 25, 115 (1956).
Ross, D. J., Physiol. Zoöl., 27, 239 (1959).
Hayashi, Y., Kagaku, 27, 467 (1957) (in Japanese).
Hayashi, Y., Nature, 186, 1053 (1960).
Remy, C., Richert, D. A., Doisy, R. J., Wells, I. C., and Westerfeld, W. W., J. Biol. Chem., 217, 293 (1955).
Corran, H. S., Dewan, J. G., Gordon, A. H., and Green, D. E., Biochem. J., 33, 1694 (1939).
Mackler, B., Mahler, H. R., and Green, D. E., J. Biol. Chem., 210, 149 (1954).
Kielley, R. K., J. Biol. Chem., 216, 405 (1955).
Mahler, H. R., Mackler, B., Green, D. E., and Bock, R. M., J. Biol. Chem., 210, 465 (1954).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
HAYASHI, Y. Properties of Xanthine Dehydrogenase in the Silkworm, Bombyx mori L.. Nature 192, 756–757 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1038/192756b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/192756b0
This article is cited by
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.