Comparative study of haemagglutination activity in the haemolymph of three tsetse fly Glossina species

George A. Ingram, David Molyneux

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

1. 1. Glossina morsitans morsitans (Gmm), G. palpalis gambiensis (Gpg) and G. tachinoides (Gt) haemolymph possessed multiple, glycoproteinaceous haemagglutinins (HGN). 2. 2. Tsetse HGN bind to human erythrocyte surface glycoprotein/glycopeptide residues or, with Gmm and Gpg anti-0 activity, glycolipid moieties. 3. 3. Variations in HGN physico-chemical properties occurred between the morsitans (Gmm) and palpalis (Gpg and Gt), and amongst the palpalis, groups of flies with respect to relative heat-lability, susceptibility to dithiothreitol reduction, resistance to γ-radiation exposure and sensitivity to urea treatment. 4. 4. Gt and Gmm required acid and acid to neutral conditions respectively, and Ca2+ ion presence, for optimum agglutination activity whilst Gpg required neutral to alkaline pH and Mg2+ ions. 5. 5. The findings reported here provide further information regarding HGN (lectin) properties in different species of the genus Glossina, member of the Diptera, a little studied order with respect to insect vector immunity.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)563-573
Number of pages11
JournalComparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part - B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Volume106
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 1993

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