Rhodanese activity during the embryonic development of mouse liver and kidney

Changes in specific activity and total activity levels of rhodanese in mouse kidney and liver were studied during development of the embryo, neonate and adult. The enzyme profiles during embryonic development were different for kidney and liver. The kidney showed a lower but constant activity from day 11 to 15, then an increase to reach the fully differentiated level at birth. The liver specific activity increased linearly from day 11 to reach a maximum 1 day before birth. The level of rhodanese may be correlated with the onset of organogenesis. The kidney results are discussed in terms of a protodifferentiated level of activity followed by a biphasic increase in specific protein synthesis.