CATALASE ACTIVITY DURING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PARASITIC NEMATODE, ASCARIS-SUUM

1. 1. Catalase activity was partially purified from body wall muscle of the parasitic nematode, Ascaris suum, and was similar to catalases isolated from mammalian tissues. It exhibited a broad pH optimum and was unaffected by 2 mM ethylenediaminetetra-acetate In contrast, it was inhibited reversibly by 1 mM cyanide and irreversibly by prior incubation in 40 mM 3-amino-1:2:4-triazole for 1 hr or heating at 80°C for 15 min. 2. 2. Catalase activity was highest in the unembryonated "egg" and decreased dramatically as development proceeded. 3. 3. Catalase activity in adult body wall muscle was similar to that in rat skeletal muscle, but dramatically lower than that in rat liver. Catalase activity was barely detectable in A. suum testis. 4. 4. Cytochrome-c peroxidase activity did not appear to be present in adult A. suum muscle mitochondria. © 1990.