A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF RHODANESE ACTIVITY IN SOME LIZARD SPECIES

1. Rhodanese activity has been determined in some organs of three species of lizards, namely: rainbow lizard, wall gecko and skink. 2. While the activity was significantly higher in the livers of all the species compared to that in the kidney, small intestine and the brain, there were significant differences in the enzyme in the livers of the different species. The activity was highest in the liver of the rainbow lizard followed by that of wall gecko and then skink. 3. The order of activity of the enzyme in organs of the rainbow lizard was liver > kidney > small intestine > brain. 4. The high level of rhodanese in lizard tissues suggests that the enzyme may be involved in roles other than cyanide detoxification.