5-aminolevulinate synthase is present, but porphyrins do not accumulate, in the Harderian glands of the mole rat, Spalax ehrenbergi, and two species of spiny mice, Acomys cahirinus and A. russatus

Abraham Haim; Uri Shanas; Kirsten M. Oates; Clifford B. Sample; Gerald R. Buzzell

5-aminolevulinate synthase is present, but porphyrins do not accumulate, in the Harderian glands of the mole rat, Spalax ehrenbergi, and two species of spiny mice, Acomys cahirinus and A. russatus

Abraham Haim, Uri Shanas, Kirsten M. Oates, Clifford B. Sample, Gerald R. Buzzell

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

We have examined porphyrins and 5-aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS), the rate-limiting enzyme of porphyrin synthesis, in Harderian glands from the mole rat (Spalax ehrenbergi) and two species of spiny mice of the genus Acomys. In both groups of rodents, the Harderian glands lacked measurable porphyrins. However, Western blots probed with an antibody showed appreciable concentrations of ALAS protein. If ALAS protein represents the active enzyme, these results suggest that porphyrins are produced in these animals but are rapidly metabolized.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	267-272
Number of pages	6
Journal	Israel Journal of Zoology
Volume	43
Issue number	3
State	Published - 1997

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We thank AGEN Ltd. and Dr. P.G. Bundesen for the ALAS antibody, and H. Kosik for maintaining the colonies of spiny mice. This study was partially supported by a BSF grant to A.H. and coinvestigators, and a grant from NSERC Canada to G.R.B.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Animal Science and Zoology

Cite this

@article{15ae2e427c39494e902e5f74b2e07646,

title = "5-aminolevulinate synthase is present, but porphyrins do not accumulate, in the Harderian glands of the mole rat, Spalax ehrenbergi, and two species of spiny mice, Acomys cahirinus and A. russatus",

abstract = "We have examined porphyrins and 5-aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS), the rate-limiting enzyme of porphyrin synthesis, in Harderian glands from the mole rat (Spalax ehrenbergi) and two species of spiny mice of the genus Acomys. In both groups of rodents, the Harderian glands lacked measurable porphyrins. However, Western blots probed with an antibody showed appreciable concentrations of ALAS protein. If ALAS protein represents the active enzyme, these results suggest that porphyrins are produced in these animals but are rapidly metabolized.",

author = "Abraham Haim and Uri Shanas and Oates, {Kirsten M.} and Sample, {Clifford B.} and Buzzell, {Gerald R.}",

note = "Funding Information: We thank AGEN Ltd. and Dr. P.G. Bundesen for the ALAS antibody, and H. Kosik for maintaining the colonies of spiny mice. This study was partially supported by a BSF grant to A.H. and coinvestigators, and a grant from NSERC Canada to G.R.B.",

year = "1997",

language = "English",

volume = "43",

pages = "267--272",

journal = "Israel Journal of Zoology",

issn = "0021-2210",

publisher = "Science From Israel",

number = "3",

}

5-aminolevulinate synthase is present, but porphyrins do not accumulate, in the Harderian glands of the mole rat, Spalax ehrenbergi, and two species of spiny mice, Acomys cahirinus and A. russatus. / Haim, Abraham; Shanas, Uri; Oates, Kirsten M. et al.
In: Israel Journal of Zoology, Vol. 43, No. 3, 1997, p. 267-272.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - 5-aminolevulinate synthase is present, but porphyrins do not accumulate, in the Harderian glands of the mole rat, Spalax ehrenbergi, and two species of spiny mice, Acomys cahirinus and A. russatus

AU - Haim, Abraham

AU - Shanas, Uri

AU - Oates, Kirsten M.

AU - Sample, Clifford B.

AU - Buzzell, Gerald R.

N1 - Funding Information: We thank AGEN Ltd. and Dr. P.G. Bundesen for the ALAS antibody, and H. Kosik for maintaining the colonies of spiny mice. This study was partially supported by a BSF grant to A.H. and coinvestigators, and a grant from NSERC Canada to G.R.B.

PY - 1997

Y1 - 1997

N2 - We have examined porphyrins and 5-aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS), the rate-limiting enzyme of porphyrin synthesis, in Harderian glands from the mole rat (Spalax ehrenbergi) and two species of spiny mice of the genus Acomys. In both groups of rodents, the Harderian glands lacked measurable porphyrins. However, Western blots probed with an antibody showed appreciable concentrations of ALAS protein. If ALAS protein represents the active enzyme, these results suggest that porphyrins are produced in these animals but are rapidly metabolized.

AB - We have examined porphyrins and 5-aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS), the rate-limiting enzyme of porphyrin synthesis, in Harderian glands from the mole rat (Spalax ehrenbergi) and two species of spiny mice of the genus Acomys. In both groups of rodents, the Harderian glands lacked measurable porphyrins. However, Western blots probed with an antibody showed appreciable concentrations of ALAS protein. If ALAS protein represents the active enzyme, these results suggest that porphyrins are produced in these animals but are rapidly metabolized.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=3342942592&partnerID=8YFLogxK

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:3342942592

SN - 0021-2210

VL - 43

SP - 267

EP - 272

JO - Israel Journal of Zoology

JF - Israel Journal of Zoology

IS - 3

ER -

5-aminolevulinate synthase is present, but porphyrins do not accumulate, in the Harderian glands of the mole rat, Spalax ehrenbergi, and two species of spiny mice, Acomys cahirinus and A. russatus

Abstract

Bibliographical note

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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