L-serine dehydratase and L-serine-pyruvate aminotransferase activities in different animal species.
1. A rough inverse correlation between liver serine dehydratase activity and species body size was observed with mammals. This was not found for glutamate, malate or lactate dehydrogenase, fumarase or aspartate-2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase. Serine dehydratase (and certain liver aminotransferases showing a similar species-size dependence) may have a role in the stimulation of heat production. 2. Cold-exposed rats showed a 3-4 fold increase in serine dehydratase activity. 3. No liver serine dehydratase was measurable in amphibia. 4. In mammals high liver serine-pyruvate aminotransferase is associated with a flesh-eating dietary habit. High activity was found in amphibia and goldfish. A gluconeogenic role is suggested.
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D012695:L-Serine Dehydratase / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D000637:Transaminases / Q000378:metabolism*; D014714:Vertebrates
D000637:Transaminases; C022638:serine-pyruvate aminotransferase; D012695:L-Serine Dehydratase