ABSTRACT
The mechanisms of Gnathostoma spinigerum larval exsheathment have been investigated. In our finding, after exposure to several proteases and chemicals, the sheath was shown as non-cuticle in nature and did not contain chitin by the use of Calcofluor dye. It appeared to be the first time that the process of penetration was live demonstrated, captured and followed in a single cyclops. It was found that the minimum time required for penetration into the body cavity through the stomach wall of the cyclops after ingestion of sheathed larvae was as early as 10 min. However it is still unclear whether, the mechanisms of exsheathment and penetration are enzymatic, mechanical or combined. Chiang Mai MedBull 2005;44(2):79-83.
ABSTRACT
The objectives of this study were to determine salivary gland contents and investigate the differences of protein expression in the salivary glands of autogenous Aedes togoi mosquitoes using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Results revealed that during 0 to 4 hours post emergence, the female salivary gland content was approxi-mate-ly 80% of that determined on day 1 of adult development. The content level was almost constant from the first to twenty-fifth day after emergence, and it started to decrease in the fourth week. The female glands contained 10 times more protein than those of the male. SDS-PAGE and subsequent silver staining of the salivary glands yielded as many as 10 major polypeptides. At least 8 major proteins with molecular masses of 220, 47, 38, 37, 36, 32, 31 and 30 kDa were female specific. In the female salivary glands, the distal-lateral and median lobe each contained a number of different major proteins. The proximal-lateral lobe of the female glands contained minor proteins, which were similar to male salivary gland proteins. These preliminary results provide basic information that may lead to further studies in the role of salivary proteins in blood-feeding and disease transmission. Chiang Mai Med Bull 2002;41(1):21-28.