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Anserine and carnosine in chicks (Gallus gallus) rat pups (Rattus rattus) and ducklings (Anas platyrhynchos):
D E Fisher1, J F Amend, D H Strumeyer
1Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology, Rutgers State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick 08903.
Insights
Anserine, a histidine dipeptide, is present in the brains of all studied species but only in chick muscle. This finding challenges previous theories about anserine and carnosine
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Developmental Biology
- Comparative Physiology
Background:
- Histidine-containing dipeptides, such as anserine and carnosine, are known to be present in vertebrate tissues.
- Previous hypotheses have suggested a role for these dipeptides in muscle activity and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution and levels of anserine and carnosine in the muscle and brain of various developing and adult species.
- To evaluate the validity of existing hypotheses regarding the physiological roles of anserine and carnosine based on their tissue-specific presence.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of muscle and brain tissues from developing chick embryos, day-old chicks, rats, and ducks.
- Quantification of anserine and carnosine dipeptides using biochemical assays.
Main Results:
- Anserine was detected in the brain across all species examined.
- In contrast, anserine was exclusively found in the muscle tissue of chicks (both embryonic and adult).
- Developing chick embryo muscle showed higher anserine levels (41 ± 9 μmol/100 g) compared to carnosine (<3 μmol/100 g), with day-old chicks exhibiting even higher anserine concentrations (100 ± 35 μmol/100 g) than carnosine (22.5 ± 1 μmol/100 g).
Conclusions:
- The species-specific presence of anserine in muscle, particularly its abundance in chicks, suggests a unique role in avian physiology.
- The widespread occurrence of anserine in the brain across different species indicates a potential neurological function.
- These findings necessitate a re-evaluation of the established hypotheses linking anserine and carnosine solely to muscle activity.
Abstract:
1. Muscle and brain from developing chick embryos, as well as from day-old chicks, rats, and ducks were analyzed for the histidine-containing dipeptides, anserine and carnosine. 2. Anserine was found in the brain of all species studied, whereas in muscle, anserine was found only in chicks. 3. At 15 days, the muscle of developing chick embryo contained 41 +/- 9 mumoles/100 g anserine while carnosine was present at a level of less than 3 mumoles/100 g. 4. In day-old chicks the anserine level in muscle was 100 +/- 35 mumoles/100 g while the carnosine level was 22.5 +/- 1 mumoles/100 g. 5. These findings cast doubt on earlier hypotheses relating anserine and carnosine to muscle activity.