METABOLISM OF SULFUR AMINO ACIDS IN MYTILUS EDULIS AND RANGIA CUNEATA

Abstract

1. The metabolism of sulfur-bearing amino acids was investigated in R. cuneata and M. edulis, in vivo.2. Injected S35-methionine gives rise to cysteine/cystine in both animals. Cystathionine was detected in M. edulis, but not in R. cuneata though it is probably formed. A demethylation and transulfuration mechanism is postulated for this conversion.3. Both R. cuneata and M. edulis form sulfate from injected methionine. Also, both form taurine but R. cuneata does not accumulate it whereas M. edulis accumulates it in large amounts.4. Taurine is probably formed by different reactions in these species. In R. cuneata it is probably formed by decarboxylation of cysteic acid, whereas in M. edulis it is formed by oxidation of hypotaurine.