Bromination of Fluoresceins by the Dogfish, Squalus acanthias

Abstract

THE natural occurrence of bromo-compounds in the coral fan Gorgonia verrucosa and in certain species of shellfish, especially Murex brandaris and M. tranculus, is well known^1,2. Bromination of phenol red by an enzyme system isolated from the mould Caldariomyces fumago has been observed³. In vitro bromination of phenol red by uterine slices and bromination of phenol red, chloro-phenol red, metacresol purple and fluorescein after intra-uterine administration of these dyes to the pregnant spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias, have been reported^4,5. The work recorded here is an extension of the latter observations.