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Glycosidase activity in the excretory-secretory products of the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica

Fasciola hepatica secretes proteolytic enzymes and other molecules that are essential for host penetration and migration. This mixture may include enzymes required for the degradation of supramucosal gels, which defend epithelial surfaces against pathogen entry. These contain hydrated mucins that ar...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Parasitology 2004-10, Vol.129 (4), p.465-472
Main Authors: IRWIN, J. A., MORRISSEY, P. E. W., RYAN, J. P., WALSHE, A., O'NEILL, S. M., CARRINGTON, S. D., MATTHEWS, E., FITZPATRICK, E., MULCAHY, G., CORFIELD, A. P., DALTON, J. P.
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Language:English
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Summary:Fasciola hepatica secretes proteolytic enzymes and other molecules that are essential for host penetration and migration. This mixture may include enzymes required for the degradation of supramucosal gels, which defend epithelial surfaces against pathogen entry. These contain hydrated mucins that are heavily glycosylated. Excretory-secretory products (ES) from F. hepatica were examined for a range of glycosidase activities, using synthetic 4-methylumbelliferyl glycosides as substrates. The ES product contained at least 8 different glycosidase activities, the most abundant of which were β-N-acetylhexosaminidase, β-galactosidase and β-glucosidase. Alpha-fucosidase, β-glucuronidase, α-galactosidase, α-mannosidase and neuraminidase were also present. β-N-acetylhexosaminidase and β-galactosidase were present in multiple isoforms (at least 4), whereas β-glucosidase appeared to exist as one isoenzyme with a pI
ISSN:0031-1820
1469-8161
DOI:10.1017/S0031182004005803