title: Alkaline phosphatase activity in salivary gland cells of Rhodnius neglectus and R. prolixus (Hemiptera, Triatominae).
abstract: Alkaline phosphatase activity was detected in salivary gland cells of the Rhodnius neglectus Lent, 1954, and R. prolixus Stal, 1859, vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas, 1909 (etiological agent of Chagas disease) and T. rangeli Tejera, 1920 (pathogenic to insect). The Gomori technique was used to demonstrate alkaline phosphatase activity. Alkaline phosphatase activity was observed throughout the entire gland, with an increased activity in the posterior region of the principal gland. In particular, phosphatase activity was found in the nucleolar corpuscles, suggesting a relationship with the rRNA transcription and ribosomal biogenesis. Alkaline phosphatase was also detected in the nuclear membrane and nuclear matrix, suggesting an association with the nucleo-cytoplasmic transport of ribonucleoproteins and the mechanisms of cell cycle and DNA replication, respectively. This study highlights the importance of alkaline phosphatase in the salivary gland of R. prolixus and R. neglectus and emphasizes its importance in secretory activity. Secretory activity is directly involved in hematophagy and, consequently, in development during metamorphosis. The observed presence of alkaline phosphatase suggests its involvement in the production of saliva allowing feeding of these insects that are important vectors of Chagas disease.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: A P M
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Lima-Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brasil kaiochaboli@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: K C C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Alevi
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Engenharia Ambiental, Instituto de Ciências Tecnológicas e Exatas, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brasil.
authors.forename: A C B
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Anhê
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: M T V
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Azeredo-Oliveira
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D005260:Female; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D012239:Rhodnius / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000469:parasitology; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000469:parasitology; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D019476:Insect Proteins; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase