Cyanide-Metabolizing Enzymes in Camels (Camelus dromdarius)

Hydrogen cyanide is a commonly occurring and highly toxic material. Detoxication of cyanide is catalysed by two enzymes, Rhodanase (Thiosuphate: cyanide sulphur transferase, (E.C 2.8.1.1) and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulphurtransferase (3-MST, EC. 2.8.1.2). Analysis of the two enzymes in the tissues of camels resulted in high activity of rhodanese in liver, almost three times that in the kidney, followed by kidney, spleen and muscles. The activity of mercaptopyruvate was also higher in the liver.