Schistosoma mansoni: distribution and characteristics of alkaline and acid phosphatase

The biochemical distribution and characteristics of the alkaline and acid phosphatase activities in both sexes of Schistosoma mansoni are reported. Alkaline and acid phosphatase activities were found in the epidermis as well as in the internal tissues. Alkaline activity is mostly located within the epidermis in both sexes. The acid activity is high in the epidermis of males and more or less equally distributed in females.Starch gel electrophoresis of worm homogenates revealed two sites of activity for both phosphatases. One is an anodic band which is a soluble phosphatase, the other, a membrane bound phosphatase, which remains at the origin under the electrophoretic conditions used. These findings are discussed in relation to previous results and to the possible roles played by these enzymes in adult S. mansoni.