DISTRIBUTION OF OPINE DEHYDROGENASES AND LACTATE-DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVITIES IN MARINE ANIMALS

1. Opine dehydrogenases (OpDHs) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activi ties were deter-mined in various marine animals. OpDHs were detected i n six marine invertebrate phyla; Porifera, Coelenterata, Annelida, Mol lusca, Arthropoda and Echinodermata in phylogenic sequence. 2. Among s everal OpDHs, tauropine dehydrogenase (TaDH) occurred widely in marine invertebrates, from Porifera to Echinodermata. 3. With a few exceptio ns, total OpDHs activities exceeded that of LDH activity in the marine invertebrates investigated. 4. With respect to anaerobic glycolysis, OpDHs are indicated to play an important role in phylogenically lower invertebrates, whereas LDH is more important in higher animals.