MALATE DEHYDROGENASE ISOZYMES OF THE CHICK EMBRYO

Malate dehydrogenase fractions of the chick embryo were demonstrated after starch gel electrophoresis of homogenates of liver, brain and spleen. A total of seven malate dehydrogenase fractions were observed to occur in the chick embryo in an organ specific pattern. Treatment of the homogenates with urea, sodium chloride-sodium phosphate, and p-chloromercuribenzoate prior to electrophoresis revealed that only three distinct malate dehydrogenase-active proteins were presence. Two of these proteins exhibited properties similar to those previously reported for the supernatant malate dehydrogenase and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase of other species. Becuase of the differing properties of chick malate and lactate dehydrogenase it is concluded that the molecular basis for malate dehydrogenase isozymes is different from that reported for lactate dehydrogenase isozymes.