title: Electrophoretical and histochemical characterization of Schistosoma mansoni phenol oxidases.
abstract: The phenol oxidase system, which is thought to play a central role in eggshell formation, was analyzed by means of electrophoretic and histochemical techniques. In contrast to current beliefs, our data show that males also express the phenol oxidase activity. The analysis of the electrophoretic pattern from males and females shows differences: adult males present a major band and a faint band, migrating slightly below. Adult females express a more complex pattern composed of four bands. Histochemical studies revealed that female phenol oxidase is concentrated in the vitelline cells, is inhibited by DDC, and this inhibition is correlated with disruption of female egg production. The present studies, in agreement with other reports, reveal that female phenol oxidase may be involved in sclerotization of the S. mansoni eggshell.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Immunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Ribeiro-Paes
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002396:Catechols / Q000378:metabolism; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000201:enzymology*; D013379:Substrate Specificity
chemical_list: D002396:Catechols; D007527:Isoenzymes; C018599:4-methylcatechol; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase