The purinolytic enzymes of the leech (Hirudo medicinalis) and the fresh-water mussel (Anodonta)

Abstract

The mean purine content of leeches is 56.7 mgm. %; after autolysis this value changes to 47.8 mgm. With Anodonta the corresponding values are 35.2 and 29.9 mgm.%. These results indicate that the end product of the purine catabolism of these animals is xanthine and (or) hypoxanthine.