Comparison of cell-surface L-amino acid oxidases from several marine phytoplankton

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Abstract
Phytoplankton possess cell-surface oxidases that oxidize amino acids and primary amines to produce extracellular H2O2, NH4+, and .alpha.-keto acids (from amino acids) or aldehydes (from primary amines) the NH4+ is subsequently taken up and used for growth. A survery of marine phytoplankton shows that at least 3 genera possess cell-surface L-amino acid oxidases: Pleurochrysis and Prymnesium (prymnesiophytes), and Amphidinium (a dinoflagellate). These enzymes are quite similar, with half-saturation concentrations of ca 0.1 to 0.5 .mu.M, but differ in their inhibition by the nonspecific protease proteinase K, and a detergent, lithium dodecyl sulfate.
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