title: Composition of the peritrophic matrix of the tsetse fly, Glossina morsitans morsitans.
abstract: The three-layered peritrophic matrix of Glossina morsitans morsitans is shown, by histochemistry, to be formed of a mixture of glycosaminoglycans, glycoproteins and chitin. In all three layers the glycosaminoglycans contain GlcNAc-hexuronic and Gal-GlcNAc moieties, together with chitin. Glycosaminoglycans in layer 3 are sulphated and sulphated sites have a mean interspace distance of 53 nm - similar to the spacing of fixed charge sites in glomerular basement membrane suggesting a rôle for these sites in the filtration properties of the peritrophic matrix. O-linked oligo- saccharides are present in all three layers. Layer 1 contains the widest variety of glycoprotein oligosaccharide constructs GlcNac and alphalinked GalNAc possibly as GalNAcalpha1,3GalNAc, the latter apparently distal to Galbeta1-4GlcNAc. Lectin binding suggests that layer 2 contains GalNAcalpha1,3Galbeta1,3GlcNAc and that layer 3 contains GalNAc and Galbeta1,4GlcNAc. The evidence for N-linked oligosaccharides is more equivocal. Two dimensional electrophoresis showed that the peritrophic matrix contains a range of proteins, most of which require relatively harsh treatment for their solubilization.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lehane
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Allingham
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weglicki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001797:Blood Protein Electrophoresis; D002686:Chitin / Q000032:analysis; D002810:Chondroitinases and Chondroitin Lyases / Q000032:analysis; D004063:Digestion / Q000502:physiology; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000032:analysis; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism; D008566:Membranes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology; D014370:Tsetse Flies / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D037102:Lectins; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins; D002686:Chitin; D002810:Chondroitinases and Chondroitin Lyases