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Bloodmeal digestion in the midgut of Phlebotomus papatasi and Phlebotomus langeroni

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

Published
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>07/1993
<mark>Journal</mark>Medical and Veterinary Entomology
Issue number3
Volume7
Number of pages8
Pages (from-to)225-232
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Bloodmeal digestion in midguts of the sandflies Phlebotomus papatasi and Phlebotomus langeroni (Diptera: Psychodidae) was investigated in optimized assays to detect general protease, trypsin and aminopeptidase activities using synthetic substrates. Optimal activity occurred at pH 8-9 for all enzymes examined in both species. Protease activity peaked at 24-34 h post human bloodmeal in midguts of P.papatasi and 34-48 h in P. langeroni; all endo- and exoprotease activities were completed by 50 h in P.papatasi compared to 72 h in P.langeroni. Hydrolysis of two chymotrypsin substrates was <2% of trypsin activity in both species. Aminopeptidase activity was associated mainly with the midgut wall, whereas trypsin activity was confined to the midgut lumen. A feature of digestion in P.langeroni was the high level of aminopeptidase recorded within 10 h of the bloodmeal.