Urease and ATP: Urea Amidolyase Activity in Unicellular Algae

Abstract

SUMMARY: Urease or ATP: urea amidolyase activity was detected in extracts of unicellular algae (representing two phyla and five classes) grown with urea as sole source of nitrogen. All the algae examined that are unequivocally classified as Chloro-phyceae, contained ATP:urea amidolyase but no urease. All the other algae contained urease but no ATP: urea amidolyase.