IMP-GMP 5'-nucleotidase in reptiles: occurrence in a turtle, a tortoise and three species of snakes.

IMP-hydrolyzing activity, which is reactive with goose anti-pig lung IMP-GMP 5'-nucleotidase (c-N-II: EC.3.1.3.5) serum, was detected in extracts from liver, heart, kidney, spleen, stomach, skeletal muscle and lung from several species of reptiles: The values found in liver (U/mg protein) of one animal were: 4.5 for an ammono-ureotelic turtle (Trionyx sinensis japonicus); 3.7 for an ureo-uricotelic tortoise (Testudo elegans); 13-23 for three species of uricotelic snakes: Elaphe quadrivirgata, Elaphe conspicillata and Elaphe climacophora. These findings suggest that in the liver of snakes, c-N-II may participate in the production of uric acid as an end product of amino acid metabolism.