HYDROGEN-PEROXIDE GENERATING ALCOHOL AND ALDEHYDE OXIDASES IN THE GIANT AFRICAN LAND SNAIL, ACHATINA-FULICA

Hydrogen peroxide generating alcohol oxidase (membrane bound) and alde hyde oxidase (cytosolic) were detected in tissues of the giant African land snail Achatina fulica. The highest specific activities were foun d in the kidney followed by the digestive gland. Solubilised digestive gland alcohol oxidase had a pH optimum of approximately 7.2. The enzy me oxidises a broad range of aromatic and aliphatic (C-2-C-16) primary alcohols. Subcellular fractionation of digestive gland homogenate ind icates that alcohol oxidase is most likely located in the endoplasmic reticulum. Cytosolic aldehyde oxidase was active with aromatic and ali phatic aldehyde but is not active with purines. A digestive role is su ggested for these two enzymes. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.