Evaluation of the activity of cyanide-metabolizing sulfurtransferase enzymes in different tissues of turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

Abstract

This study was undertaken to estimate specific activities of rhodanese and 3-<br><br>mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (MST) in different tissues of turkey. Enzyme activities<br><br>were determined in tissue samples from freshly killed adult male turkeys by measurement of<br><br>thiocyanate amounts produced by the action of enzymes on suitable substrates. Activities of<br><br>rhodanese and MST in examined tissues of turkey range from 0.023 to 0.448 and 0.01 to<br><br>0.191, respectively. The highest activity of the rhodanese was observed in the liver followed<br><br>by the kidney and then heart, with statistically significant difference between them. Indeed,<br><br>the activities of MST were significantly higher in hepatic and renal tissues of turkey than in<br><br>other examined tissues. Although both sulfurtransferases were detected in brain and all<br><br>studied parts of the digestive tract, the mean values of enzyme activities were far less<br><br>compared with those of liver and kidney. The results suggest high potential of liver and<br><br>kidney in sulfurtransferases mediated cyanide detoxification in turkey. However, the<br><br>demonstration of both enzyme activities in all examined tissues supports the involvement of<br><br>them in other biochemical processes besides cyanide detoxification which needs to be<br><br>clarified in detailed studies.