Two different amylase activities in the sea mussel, Mytilus edulis L

Abstract

Digestive /?-amylase activity has been previously described in the sea mussel. It has been observed that in this animal species there are two different amylase activities, both of them a-amylase type. These enzyme activities show different optimum temperature and pH behavior, and are differently activated by effectors, and precipitated with dif­ ferent concentrations of neutral salts. The two enzyme activities show an almost ubi­ quitous distribution in all tissues and organs, with appreciably high levels of activity. These activities are also clearly found in non-digestive organs as gonadal tissues, and, especially, in the muscle tissue.

It is suggested that the amylases found can play a complementary role in the rapid mobilization of glucidic fuels during the physiological anoxic cyclic states of this animal species.