MOLECULAR-FORMS OF TEGUMENTAL AND MUSCLE ACETYLCHOLINESTERASES OF SCHISTOSOMA

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is present in the muscle and on the tegume nt of schistosomes. Molecular forms of schistosome AChE were examined because particular AChEs are found in tissues of distinct function els ewhere. The dimeric globular form (G(2)) is the only form evident in a dult Schistosoma haematobium: 32% of the muscle AChE is hydrophilic an d 61% is membrane associated. A substantial amount of this enzyme is p hosphatidylinositol (PI) anchored since it could be released by PI-spe cific phospholipase C from both muscle and tegumental membranes.