title: Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) level and activities of certain enzymes of GAG metabolism in Culex quinquefasciatus and Setaria digitata.
abstract: Significant differences were observed in GAG metabolism of S. digitata and one of its intermediate vectors, C. quinquefasciatus. Distribution of different components such as hyaluronic acid, heparin-sulphate, chondroitin-4-sulphate, chondroitin-6-sulphate, dermatan sulphate and heparin was comparable in both. However, there were quantitative differences; the difference was marked in the activity of enzymes of GAG metabolism in presence and absence of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) a known antifilarial drug. While the activities of beta-galactosidase and beta-N-acetyl glucosaminidase of S. digitata systems showed an inhibition of 96.5 and 92.6% respectively, in the Culex systems they showed an inhibition of 93.3% and an activation of 18% respectively. The differences clearly indicate the existence of basic differences in GAG metabolism of vector and parasite.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mathai
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Devi
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Raj
mesh_terms: D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D003465:Culex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005370:Filarioidea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005696:Galactosidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism*; D006596:Hexosaminidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D005696:Galactosidases; D006596:Hexosaminidases; D001616:beta-Galactosidase; D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine