The isozymes of 10 enzymes connected with energy metabolism in Tegillarca granosa were analysed by vertical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Esterase and α-amylase are enzymes related to energy intake, their activities were high in the digestive gland. Malate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, isocitrate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, alcohol dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) and adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) are enzymes related to energy metabolism. The main energy supply of T. granosa comes from aerobic respiration; anaerobic metabolism and the pentose phosphate pathway take an auxiliary role in energy metabolism. The high activity of G-6-PDH in T. granosa might mean a considerable proportion of carbohydrates metabolized through this pathway. This reaction could provide abundant NADP for metabolism in T. granosa. Compared with other shellfish, T. granosa had lower activity of ATPase, which might have some relationship with the amnicolous life and low motility of this animal.
