Digestion schistosome

Liver flukes also possess cathepsin C and LAP exopeptidases that are orthologous to the schistosome enzymes. These exopeptidases most likely complete the digestive process to yield free dipeptides and amino acids, respectively, from peptides generated by endoprote-olytic cysteine protease activity on host proteins. Both cathepsin C and LAP have been immunolocalized to gastrodermal cells (Carmona et al., 1994 Acosta et al., 1998 J.P. Dalton, unpublished data). 

Caffrey, C.R., McKerrow, J.H., Salter, J.P. and Sajid, M. (2004) Blood n Guts an update on schistosome digestive peptidases. Trends in Parasitology 20, 241-248. 

Dalton, J.P. and Brindley, P.J. (1 995) Schistosome asparaginyl endopeptidase Sm32 in haemoglobin digestion. Parasitology Today 12, 125. 

Hillman et al. [108,109] have suggested that hycanthone may act by binding irreversibly to the ACh receptor in schistosomes resulting in neuromuscular incoordination and paralysis of the digestive tract of the fluke. The worm later dies of starvation. 

Bile Acids acids liberated by the gall bladder which play a role in the digestion of fats. Bilharzia parasitic disease due to schistosomes which live in the human circulatory system. Cholagogue substance which increases the flow of bile from the gallbladder. 

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