Utilization of aspartate transcarbamylase activity in the study of neuroendocrinal control of gametogenesis inMytilus edulis

✍ Scribed by Mathieu, Michel

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1987
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 511 KB
• Volume: 241
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0022-104X
• DOI: 10.1002/jez.1402410211

✦ Synopsis

Studies on the endocrine control exerted upon cellular multiplication in mussel mantle tissue (the site of the gonad in this species) are rendered difficult by its extremely heterogeneous nature and require the use of a quantifiable bioassay. Measurement of specific ATCase activity gives a good estimation of pyrimidine biosynthesis; in mussels, the specific activity of this enzyme is highest in the mantle tissue and is closely correlated to the gonadosomatic index. Stimulatory action of cerebral ganglia in organ culture experiments are associated with increases of specific ATCase activity. Antimitotic substances, such as 5 fluorouracile or arabinocytosine on the other hand, induce a decrease of ATCase activity in mantle explants. The utilization of ATCase activity measurements, in the study of gametogenic controls, is proposed in species in which the gonad is not a differentiated organ.