title: gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase activity in Ascaris suum.
abstract: Using histochemical techniques gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity has been localized mainly in the cuticle-hypodermis in Ascaris suum. The specific activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was 3.87 +/- 0.49 mumol h-1 (g tissue)-1 in cuticle-hypodermis as compared to gastrointestinal tract, where it was 0.07 +/- 0.02 mumol h-1 (g tissue)-1, and muscle and reproductive tract where it was less than 0.001 mumol h-1 (g tissue)-1. When cuticle sections were incubated with labelled glutamine a large portion of the glutamine nitrogen was recovered as ammonia which indicated glutamine uptake and utilization by the cuticle-hypodermis. Collectively these histochemical and biochemical data support the fact that gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity is found in the cuticle-hypodermis of A. suum and this may be an indication that amino acid absorption could occur through the cuticle via the gamma-glutamyl cycle.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001200:Ascaris / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D005973:Glutamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D005973:Glutamine; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase