GREEN PIGMENT OF PATELLA (MOLLUSCA) OVA

1. 1. A green chromoprotein has been isolated from the ova of the limpet Patella coerulea. 2. 2. At neutral pH the protein had absorption maxima at 278, 390 and 630 mμ and an inflexion at 580 mμ. 3. 3. The absorption at 630 mμ varied with pH. It decreased on either side of pH 6·, and disappeared in the presence of urea. 4. 4. A yellow pigment solution with an absorption maximum at 385 mμ and an inflexion at 550 mμ was obtained from the purified chromoprotein. 5. 5. It is suggested that the chromoprotein has a yellow prosthetic group and that the chromophore responsible for absorption at 630 mμ and, therefore, for the green colour of the protein is the result of an interaction of the prosthetic group with the native protein. © 1969.