Relationship of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate mutase in various mammals.

To investigate a possible mechanism involved in the regulation of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) synthesis, 2,3-DPG mutase (DPGM) was measured in different mammals presenting large differences in 2,3-DPG concentration between fetal, neonatal and adult life to see the activity of this enzyme, necessary for 2,3-DPG synthesis, was related to the levels of 2,3-DPG. The data demonstrated that the minimal levels of 2,3-DPG in the adult sheep are likely due to the very low levels of DPGM. Also these findings show that the increases in 2,3-DPG levels, found in the newborn sheep during the 1st week of life, in adult rabbit and guinea pig when compared with their fetuses, are not due to an increase in levels of the DPGM.