Isozyme patterns of coregonine fishes: Evidence for multiple cistrons for lactate and malate dehydrogenases and achromatic bands in the tissues of Prosobium cylindraceum (Pallas) and P. coulteri (Eigenmann and Eigenmann)

• Published in: Journal of Experimental Zoology
• Main Author: Massaro, Edward J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1972
• Subjects: Pygmy whitefish
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jez.1401790211; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fjez.1401790211; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/jez.1401790211

Abstract Starch gel electrophoresis reveals the presence of 22 LDH isozymes in the round whitefish ( Prosobium cylindraceum ). Immunoprecipitation and molecular hybridization experiments demonstrate that the genome of this species codes for ten types of LDH subunits designated A, A′, B, B′, D, D′, E, E′, F, and F′. These subunits comprise the parental homotetramers of five distinct groups of isozymes designated a , b , d , e , and f . The group f isozymes are found exclusively in skeletal muscle and the e group isozymes are found exclusively in the eye. The a , b , d , and e group isozymes are immunologically related. The group f isozymes do not cross‐react with antibodies prepared against either the A 4 or B 4 homotetramers of weakfish, Cynoscion regalis . Six types of LDH subunits; designated B, B′, D, D′, E, and E′, are coded for by the genome of the pygmy whitefish ( P. coulteri ). They comprise the parental homotetramers of three distinct, but immunologically related, groups of isozymes designated b , d , and e . As in the rainbow trout ( Salmo gairdneri ), no in vivo intergroup molecular hydridization of LDH isozymes has been observed nor can it be induced in vitro in either P. cylindraceum or P. coulteri . The isozymes of analogous groups from P. cylindraceum, P. coulteri , and S. gairdneri can be hybridized in vitro . Two distinct MDH phenotypes were observed in P. cylindraceum a simpler (S) pattern composed of four isozymes and a more complex (C) pattern composed of six‐seven isozymes. A pattern of six‐seven MDH isozymes similar to the C pattern of P. cylindraceum is found in P. coulteri . The ovarian LDH and MDH isozymes of P. cylindraceum are unique in that they migrate more slowly toward the anode than analogous isozymes in other tissues. The achromatic bands which are observed on starch gels stained for LDH or MDH activity are described.