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Evidence for the presence of quinone methide isomerase in the metacercarial cyst of Microphallus sp. (Trematoda: Microphallidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

K. Nellaiappan ,
R. Ramakrishnan  and
M. Jameela Banu
K. Nellaiappan
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Madras - 600 025, India
R. Ramakrishnan
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Madras - 600 025, India
M. Jameela Banu
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Madras - 600 025, India
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Abstract

The white colour of the cyst wall of the metacercaria of Microphallus sp., even in the presence of dihydroxy phenol and phenoloxidase, is due to proteins generated through a possible quinone methide interaction. The quinone methide isomerase converts the phenoloxidase mediated quinone into β-hydroxy catechol. Formation of catechol from quinone by cyst extracts was observed spectrophotometrically and chromatographically. This enzyme is involved in detoxification of excess quinone and β-sclerotization of the cyst wall.

Keywords

dihydroxy phenolphenoloxidasequinone methide isomerasedetoxification of quinone
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 103 , Issue 2 , October 1991 , pp. 299 - 303
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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