Metabolism at the pyruvate branch point in the radula retractor muscle of the whelk, Busycon contrarium

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Abstract
The radula retractor muscle of the whelk Busycon contrarium contains high activities of both octopine dehydrogenase (~500 μmol∙min−1∙g wet weight−1) and strombine dehydrogenase (~150 μmol∙min−1∙g wet weight−1). Experiments were conducted with in vitro radula muscle preparations to assess under what physiological conditions these dehydrogenases function. Alanopine–strombine accumulated during anoxia, postanoxic recovery, and potassium-induced contractures in radula retractor muscles. No significant accumulation of octopine was observed. Although the accumulation of alanopine–strombine was significant, it was quantitatively small when compared with the production of succinate. Thus, it appears that alanopine–strombine formation has only an accessory role in cytoplasmic redox balance in B. contrarium radula retractor muscle. The physiological role of octopine dehydrogenase in this system remains unclear.
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