AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ACTIVITY OF THE NA K-PUMP AND RESISTANCE OF SCHISTOSOMA-MANSONI TOWARDS COMPLEMENT-MEDIATED KILLING/

The Na/k-pump or Na+/K+-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.37), couples the hydrolysis o f ATP to the active transport of Na+ and K+ ions across the plasma mem brane of virtually all animal cells. The relationship between activity of the Na+/K+-ATPase and the sensitivity of Schistosoma mansoni to im munological attack has been investigated. It has been observed that ou abain, the specific inhibitor of the pump, via a synergistic effect wi th specific antibody and complement, affects the average membrane pote ntial causing depolarization and death of complement resistant parasit es. Thus, apparently there is association between the inhibition of th e Na/K-pump and the lysis and death of the complement-resistant parasi te.