The UDP-galactose 4-epimerase of the albumen gland of Lymnaea stagnalis and the effects of photoperiod, starvation and trematode infection of its activity

Abstract

1. 1. Kinetic aspects of the enzyme UDP-galactose 4-epimerase in crude homogenates of the albumen gland of the snail Lymnae stagnalis were estimated. The mean values of the Km for UDP-galactose and for NAD are 0.343 and 0.097 mM, respectively. The enzyme is inhibited by NADH. It is inactivated by freezing and raised temperature (25°C), but it can be reactivated by NAD. 2. 2. In the albumen gland the epimerase activity is 10–100 times higher than in other tissues, reflecting the high turnover of glucose to galactose, essential for the synthesis of galactogen in this organ. 3. 3. In fed snails long day conditions stimulates albumen gland epimerase activity, coinciding with high egg production. 4. 4. In starved snails a fairly high residual activity of the enzyme is maintained, irrespective of photoperiod or egg production. 5. 5. Trematode infection leads to a considerable reduction of the epimerase activity. 6. 6. The results indicate that the epimerase activity in fed snails, when the gland shows a regular release, reflects long-term adaptations (photoperiod). In starved and parasitized snails, when no regular release or product occurs, a basic epimerase activity is maintained. This might be important for a rapid restoration of egg production after the termination of adverse conditions.