Ascorbate synthesis in fishes: A review.

ABSTRACT

Biosynthesis of ascorbate is known to occur in liver and/or kidney of some vertebrates; however, a recent study discovered the expression of l-gulono-γ-lactone oxidase, an enzyme essential for ascorbate synthesis, in the brain of the African lungfish, Protopterus annectens. This report provides an up-to-date review on ascorbate synthesis in fishes and the possible future directions of study in view of the discovery of the unusual site of ascorbate biosynthesis.