Controlling the highest lactate dehydrogenase activity known in nature.

In the shipjack, Euthynnus pelamis, white muscle appears to possess a powerful anaerobic capacity as well as a significant carbohydrate based aerobic potential. Lactate dehydrogenase occurs at higher activities than found thus far anywhere else in nature and clearly functions in anaerobic glycolysis. Alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase also occurs in unusually high activities and appears to play a role in aerobic glycolysis. Regulation of these two reactions is accomplished by temperature, pH, and creatine phosphate levels. High temperature, low pH, and low creatine phosphate levels all appear to favor lactate dehydrogenase over alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase; low temperature, high pH, and high creatine-phosphate levels, all expected during the quiescent state in this species, and when metabolism in aerobic, all favor alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity.