Digestive enzymes of three teleost fishes.

The activity of amylase, sucrase, protease and lipase has been examined in Wallago attu, Clarias batrachus and Labeo rohita. The optimum pH value for carbohydrases ranges from 5.0 to 7.0 and that for trypsin between pH 6.8 and 7.8. Lipase is active at a slightly more alkaline medium. The optimum pH for a given enzyme varies in different sections of the alimentary canal of the same fish and also from species to species. Variations are also found in the optimum substrate concentration for a given enzyme in the different sections of the alimentary canal. The activity of carbohydrases is higher in the herbivorous fish Labeo, than in the carnivorous fish Wallago, and the omnivorous fish Clarias. As for protease, maximum activity is found in Wallago. The difference is not so well marked for the activity of lipase. There is a correlation between the normal diet of the fishes and the relative activity of the digestive enzymes.     

Effects of frontal ganglion removal and starvation on activity and distribution of six gut enzymes in Locusta

A study has been made on the effects of frontal ganglion removal and starvation on the activities and distribution of α- and β-glucosidase, α- and β-galactosidase, trehalase, and ‘trypsin’ in various regions of the alimentary canal of adult locusts. Both treatments resulted in a reduction in the amount of enzyme activity. In addition, the distribution of enzyme activity was changed by comparison with the operated control insects; the foregut of starved and operated animals showing a smaller proportion of the overall gut enzyme activity. The results are discussed in relation to the control of enzyme secretion.     

Digestive enzyme complement of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)

Digestive processes of 250-day-old white sturgeon were analyzed for enzyme concentrations, protein content and pH. Digestion is initiated in the gastric region by secretion of acid and pepsin; however, diversity of digestive enzymes is highest in the post-gastric alimentary canal with the greatest proteolytic activity in the spiral valve. Domination of the enzyme complement by proteases is consistent with this species carnivorous feeding habits.     

The Alimentary Canal of a Freshwater Copepoda,Macrocyclops albidus,and some Other Cyclopoida

Structural and ultrastructural studies on the gut of a freshwater Cyclopoida, Macrocyclops albidus (Crustacea, Copepoda) during its post-naupliar development show constant morphological and cytological characteristics. The alimentary canal is composed of three parts: oesophagus, gut and rectum. Three zones are described from the gut, which forms the major part of the alimentary canal. The median part, or midgut, is the more interesting, characterized by its vacuolar cells. All cells of the gut have constant features. An hypothesis on the digestive function is given in relation to behavioral observations and histological and biochemical data.     

Biochemical and histochemical studies on non-specific phosphomonoesterases of swine kidney worm Stephanurus dentatus (Diesing, 1839).

Biochemical and histochemical studies have been made on non-specific acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterases of S. dentatus. The two forms of acid phosphomonoesterases have been found active at pH 4.0 and 6.0. The pH optima for the two forms of aklaline phosphomonoesterases lie at 8.0 and 10.0. Studies on the distribution of acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterases in various tissues have revealed an abundance of acid phosphomonoesterase in various parts of the alimentary canal and various organs of the reproductive system. The excretory ducts show alkaline phosphomonoesterase activity only.     

Genetic variation in the expression of ADH in Drosophila melanogaster

Several chromosomes derived from natural populations have been identified that affect the expression of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). Second chromosomes, which also carry the structural gene Adh, show a great deal of polymorphism of genetic elements that determine how much enzyme protein accumulates. The level of enzyme was measured in third instar larvae, 6-to-8-day-old males and in larval fat bodies and alimentary canals. In general, activities in the different organs and stages are highly correlated with one another. One line was found, however, in which the ADH level in the fat body is more than twice the level one would expect on the basis of the activity in alimentary canal. We have also found evidence of third-chromosome elements that affect the level of ADH.     

Cloning, expression, and purification of a recombinant cold-adapted beta-galactosidase from antarctic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. 22b

The gram-negative antarctic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. 22b, isolated from the alimentary tract of krill Thyssanoessa macrura, synthesizes an intracellular cold-adapted beta-galactosidase. The gene encoding this beta-galactosidase has been PCR amplified, cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli, purified, and characterized. The enzyme is active as a homotetrameric protein, and each monomer consists of 1028 amino acid residues. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity (50% recovery of activity) by using the fast, two-step procedure, including affinity chromatography on PABTG-Sepharose. Enzymatic properties of the recombinant protein are identical to those of native Pseudoalteromonas sp. 22b beta-galactosidase. The enzyme is cold-adapted and at 10 degrees C retains 20% of maximum activity. The purified enzyme displayed maximum activity close to 40 degrees C and at pH of 6.0-8.0. PNPG was its preferred substrate (58% higher activity than against ONPG). The enzyme was particularly thermolabile, losing all activities within 10 min at 50 degrees C. The hydrolysis of lactose in a milk assay revealed that 90% of milk lactose was hydrolyzed during 6 h at 30 degrees C and during 28 h at 15 degrees C. Because of its attributes, the recombinant Pseudoalteromonas sp. 22b beta-galactosidase could be applied at refrigeration temperatures for production of lactose-reduced dairy products.     

蝗虫消化道结构的比较研究

采用扫描仪分析方法对10种蝗虫消化道形态结构进行了观察比较,发现蝗虫不同类群个体其中肠占消化道总长的比例依进化地位呈现递增趋势,胃盲囊和后肠则呈递减趋势.这种趋势可能是随着蝗虫类群的进化,中肠在消化道所占的比例逐渐增大,对食物的消化吸收能力逐渐增强,与之相应的是胃盲囊呈退化趋势,同时后肠所排泄的残渣逐渐减少,导致蝗虫消化道形态发生适应性变化的结果.     

The sites occupied by the acanthocephalan Pomphorhynchus laevis in the alimentary canal of fish.

The distribution of the acanthocephalan Pomphorhynchus laevis along the alimentary tract of several species of freshwaster fish was studied in both natural and experimental infections. The parasite exhibits a clear preference for a particular region of the alimentary canal, which differs from host species to host species, but it is capable of surviving in all regions of the intestine. In some species, but not in all, its growth rate may be reduced in regions outside of the preferred site. The parsite remains in the same site throughout the period of infection, emigrations occurring only preparatory to complete loss of the parasite from the host. The presence of cestodes in the region of the preferred site has no effect upon the distribution of the parasite. At high levels of infection the range of the parsite's distribution is extended. The feeding of larval parasites to fish by stomach tube also leads to an extension of range, whereas when fish are allowed to feed on cystacanths removed from their intermediate host the parasite establishes in a more anterior position than usual and in a site that it does not occupy to any extent in natural infections. It is concluded that the distribution of P. laevis in the alimentary canal of fish is determined primarily by the process of liberation, activation and establishment of the parasite, and that it normally attaches in the first available space and remains there. Unsuitable physico-chemical or feeding conditions affect only its growth, not the site that it occupies. It is suggested that P. laevis may be atypical in this respect.     

The effect of feeding androgenic hormones on the proteolytic activity of the alimentary canal of carp Cyprinus carpio L.

The effect of feeding testosterone, 11-ketotestosterone and adrenosterone for 60 days on the proteolytic activity of the alimentary canal of carp is reported. The proteolytic activity of the gut increased in all the experimental groups compared with the controls. One month after the cessation of the drug feeding, the proteolytic activity dropped to less than the control values. A de novo synthesis of the enzymes is suspected.     

Histoenzymatic pattern of adenosine triphosphatase in the different components of the alimentary canal in some common earthworms and its possible physiological significance

The present contribution incorporates an account of the distribution of adenosine triphosphatase and its functional role in various regions of the alimentary canal of Pheretima posthuma and Barogaster annandalei. The main areas, showing adenosine triphosphatase activity in P. posthuma are sub-epithelial blood vessels in pharynx, peri-oesophageal blood vessels in oesophagus, columnar epithelial cells of gizzard and in the areas outside the typhlosole and around the supra-intestinal excretory ducts. In B. annandalei the epithelial cells of gizzard show significant enzymatic localization. In addition to this, enzymatic activity has also been found in the deeply embedded blood vessels of buccal region, peri-oesophageal vasculature, sub-epithelial vasculature of typhlosole and intestine, and in the adjoining chloragogen cells. Physiological significance of the enzymatic pattern has been discussed.     

蝗虫消化道形态结构研究的一种新方法

采用扫描仪和扫描电镜相结合的方法对中华稻蝗Oxyachinensis(Thunberg)消化道内部的超微结构进行定位研究。结果表明直接将蝗虫消化道的内壁翻出(不染色)铺展于扫描仪的玻璃板上进行扫描,就能得到蝗虫消化道在自然状态下的完整图像,将扫描仪扫描后的样品用于扫描电子显微镜的样品制备,并对照上述研究结果,即可定位蝗虫消化道在扫描电子显微镜下的超微结构。为蝗虫消化道的形态学研究提供一个简便有效的方法,同时也为蝗虫消化道超微结构的定位研究提供新的手段。     

The distribution of cadmium,copper, lead,zinc and calcium in the tissues of the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus sampled from one uncontaminated and four polluted soils

Summary The tissue distribution of Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, and Ca in the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus living in non-polluted and heavy-metal polluted soils was investigated. Cd, Pb and Zn were primarily accumulated within the posterior alimentary canal. As the whole-worm Pb burden increased, the proportion of the metal accumulated within this tissue fraction increased. A similar pattern was found for Zn. By contrast, 70%–76% of the Cd burden was found in the posterior alimentary canal, irrespective of the whole-worm Cd content. The accumulation of Cd, Pb and Zn primarily in the posterior alimentary canal prevents dissemination of large concentrations of these metals into other earthworm tissues, and may thus represent a dextoxification strategy based on accumulative immobilisation. Cu was distributed fairly evenly in the tissue fractions investigated. There was no evidence of sequestration of this metal. The apparent lack of a detoxification strategy may contribute to the well-known susceptibility of earthworms to low environmental Cu concentrations. Indeed, earthworms from the site of highest soil Cu (Ecton) were markedly smaller than those from the other sites sampled. The highest Ca concentrations were found in the anterior alimentary canal, and were related to calciferous gland activity. A large proportion of Ca was also stored as a physiologically available pool in the posterior alimentary canal. Despite huge variations in soil Ca concentrations, the body wall Ca levels were fairly similar in L. rubellus from all the study sites. Thus, L. rubellus may become physiologically adapted to soils of exceptionally low Ca concentration. The observations are discussed in the context of the merits of analysing specific tissues, rather than whole organisms, for the purpose of monitoring metal bioaccumulation.     

温度和紫外辐射胁迫对西藏飞蝗抗氧化系统的影响

为探讨西藏飞蝗(Locusta migratoria tibetensis Chen)对环境的适应机制,报道了温度和紫外辐射胁迫对西藏飞蝗抗氧化系统影响。以西藏飞蝗成虫为试材,研究5—20℃低温、30—45℃高温胁迫和紫外线辐射对其抗氧化酶活性和膜脂过氧化物丙二醛(MDA)含量的影响。在5—20℃低温胁迫下,成虫体壁和消化道超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性及丙二醛(MDA)含量分别随温度降低而升高;在30—35℃高温胁迫下,成虫SOD、POD和CAT活性分别随温度升高而升高,当温度超过35℃时,3种氧化酶活性均下降。长波紫外辐射(UV-A)和中波紫外辐射(UV-B)对处理后24h和72h成虫的SOD活性的影响大于可见光,在UV-A、UV-B和可见光3种光波长处理下,成虫的POD和CAT活性随光照时间的延长而增加,其中UV-B对两种酶活性影响大于UV-A和可见光,表现为UV-B处理组>UV-A处理组>可见光处理组;UV-A和UV-B处理能导致虫体体壁MDA含量明显升高,且对脂质过氧化的诱导存在时间效应;雌虫体壁、雌虫消化道、雄虫体壁和雄虫消化道的MDA含量分别在UV-B72h、UV-A72h、UV-A72h和UV-B72h达最大值0.72、0.88、0.66和0.94 nmol/g鲜重。在20—5℃低温胁迫下,西藏飞蝗成虫抗氧化酶活性升高,能较好的保护自身免遭活性氧自由基的伤害;西藏飞蝗对高温忍耐力差,在高于35℃高温胁迫下,成虫SOD、POD、CAT活性均下降;在长波和中波紫外辐射下,西藏飞蝗抗氧化酶活性显著升高,是西藏飞蝗对紫外线辐射强度大的青藏高原的一种重要适应。     

渤海真刺唇角水蚤摄食的初步研究

1992年 8月至 1 993年 5～ 6月在渤海调查过程中取得了大量海洋浮游生物样品 ,从中获得 80 0个消化道内含有食物的真刺唇角水蚤标本 ,经分析得出 :真刺唇角水蚤营小型浮游生物食性 ,主要摄食小型桡足类 (占其食物组成的 76.4% ) ,其中小拟哲水蚤是它的主要摄食对象 ( 74.7% ) .此外 ,它也摄食少量硅藻类 ( 2 3.0 % )、甲藻类 ( 1 .1 % )、金藻类 ( <0 .1 % )和纤毛虫类 ( 1 .5% ) ;其食物组成有明显的季节变化 ;其类群更替率各季平均达 30 .7% ,其种类更替率达 40 .3% ,并显示出硅藻类自春至冬逐渐增高而桡足类逐渐降低的规律性 .其摄食强度以春季为最高 ,秋季居第二位 ,夏季居第三位 ,冬季最低 .     

The physiological role of liver alcohol dehydrogenase

1. Yeast alcohol dehydrogenase was used to determine ethanol in the portal and hepatic veins and in the contents of the alimentary canal of rats given a diet free from ethanol. Measurable amounts of a substance behaving like ethanol were found. Its rate of interaction with yeast alcohol dehydrogenase and its volatility indicate that the substance measured was in fact ethanol. 2. The mean alcohol concentration in the portal blood of normal rats was 0.045mm. In the hepatic vein, inferior vena cava and aorta it was about 15 times lower. 3. The contents of all sections of the alimentary canal contained measurable amounts of ethanol. The highest values (average 3.7mm) were found in the stomach. 4. Infusion of pyrazole (an inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase) raised the alcohol concentration in the portal vein 10-fold and almost removed the difference between portal and hepatic venous blood. 5. Addition of antibiotics to the food diminished the ethanol concentration of the portal blood to less than one-quarter and that of the stomach contents to less than one-fortieth. 6. The concentration of alcohol in the alimentary canal and in the portal blood of germ-free rats was much decreased, to less than one-tenth in the alimentary canal and to one-third in the portal blood, but detectable quantities remained. These are likely to arise from acetaldehyde formed by the normal pathways of degradation of threonine, deoxyribose phosphate and beta-alanine. 7. The results indicate that significant amounts of alcohol are normally formed in the gastro-intestinal tract. The alcohol is absorbed into the circulation and almost quantitatively removed by the liver. Thus the function, or a major function, of liver alcohol dehydrogenase is the detoxication of ethanol normally present. 8. The alcohol concentration in the stomach of alloxan-diabetic rats was increased about 8-fold. 9. The activity of liver alcohol dehydrogenase is generally lower in carnivores than in herbivores and omnivores, but there is no strict parallelism between the capacity of liver alcohol dehydrogenase and dietary habit. 10. The activity of alcohol dehydrogenase of gastric mucosa was much decreased in two out of the three germ-free rats tested. This is taken to indicate that the enzyme, like gastric urease, may be of microbial origin. 11. When the body was flooded with ethanol by the addition of 10% ethanol to the drinking water the alcohol concentration in the portal vein rose to 15mm and only a few percent of the incoming ethanol was cleared by the liver.     

An enzyme from the earthworm Eisenia fetida is not only a protease but also a deoxyribonuclease

The earthworm enzyme Eisenia fetida Protease-III-1 (EfP-III-1) is known as a trypsin-like protease which is localized in the alimentary canal of the earthworm. Here, we show that EfP-III-1 also acts as a novel deoxyribonuclease. Unlike most DNases, this earthworm enzyme recognizes 5′-phosphate dsDNA (5′P DNA) and degrades it without sequence specificity, but does not recognize 5′OH DNA. As is the case for most DNases, Mg²⁺ was observed to markedly enhance the DNase activity of EfP-III-1. Whether the earthworm enzyme functioned as a DNase or as a protease depended on the pH values of the enzyme solution. The protein acted as a protease under alkaline conditions whereas it exhibited DNase activity under acid conditions. At pH 7.0, the enzyme could work as either a DNase or a protease. Given the complex living environment of the earthworm, this dual function of EfP-III-1 may play an important role in the alimentary digestion of the earthworm.     

Scanning electron microscopy of Leishmania major in Phlebotomus papatasi

The morphology of Leishmania major parasites and their interactions with various regions of the alimentary canal of Phlebotomus papatasi were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Parasites were observed to undergo development initiated with the ingestion of amastigotes and culminating in a characteristic distribution of four distinct morphological forms in various parts of the alimentary canal: namely, large numbers of elongate nectomonads in the abdominal mid-gut, haptomonad forms attached to the cuticle of the stomodeal valve, small spherical forms attached to the esophagus and masses of short promastigotes, believed to be the infective forms, lying free in the anterior thoracic mid-gut and the esophagus.     

The functional morphology of the feeding appendages and gut of Hippolyte varians (Crustacea: Natantia)

The musculature of the feeding appendages are described and compared with those few early accounts of other Decapoda, particularly those of Pandalus danae and Astacus fluviatilis . While the musculature is very similar to that of the latter, the relative importance of the various muscles may differ markedly and a number of previously undescribed muscles have been found, while others present in Pandulus and Astacus are not present in Hippolyte . The alimentary canal is also described, together with its associated musculature. The function of the various appendages and the parts of the gut are described from observations of living specimens.     

狭胸天牛成虫和幼虫的消化道研究

研究了狭胸天牛成虫和幼虫消化道形态。成虫消化道细长,嗉囊长囊状,中肠前段具极少的稀疏瘤状小突起。幼虫消化道相当长,前肠细短,中肠很长,前中肠粗短而膨大,中肠表面无小盲囊。