Characterization of proteolytic enzymes expressed in the midgut of Haemaphysalis longicornis. Academic Article

abstract

• The proteolytic activities present in midguts of both fed and unfed Haemaphysalis longicornis were assessed by using the gelatin-substrate gel electrophoresis and inhibitor sensitivity analyses. Three predominant (116, 48 and 48 kDa) and two weak (55 and 60 kDa) proteinase bands were commonly expressed in both unfed and fed ticks, while a weak 80 kDa band was only present in fed ticks. Consistent with observations on other tick species, proteolytic activity against the gelatin substrate was observed only under acidic conditions. Inhibition studies against the gelatin substrate using a panel of inhibitors showed that the predominant proteolytic enzymes of 40 and 48 kDa molecular mass are cysteine proteinases. These results are discussed in the context of host vaccination as an alternative tick control method to the current use of chemical acaricides.

authors

• Mulenga, Albert

published proceedings

• Jpn J Vet Res

author list (cited authors)

• Mulenga, A., Sugimoto, C., & Onuma, M.

citation count

• 15

complete list of authors

• Mulenga, A||Sugimoto, C||Onuma, M

publication date

• February 1999

published in

• The Japanese journal of veterinary research  Journal

keywords

• Animals
• Digestive System
• Endopeptidases
• Female
• Protease Inhibitors
• Rabbits
• Ticks

PubMed Central ID

• 10414026

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.14943/jjvr.46.4.179

start page

• 179

end page

• 184

volume

• 46

issue

• 4