BIOSYNTHESIS OF SALIVARY PROSTAGLANDINS IN THE LONE STAR TICK, AMBLYOMMA-AMERICANUM

Dopamine-induced saliva from ticks fed [H-3]arachidonic acid contained the radiolabelled prostaglandins E(2), F-2 alpha, D-2, and B-2, the latter probably derived from PGE(2) owing to the alkalinity of tick saliva. Prostaglandin synthetase (PGS) activity in the salivary gland homogenate from the lone star tick, AmblS,omma americanum, could not be detected by standard radiometric methodologies successfully employed for tissues from many animal species, including numerous arthropods. Modifications to the assay conditions had no effect, The presence of a PCS-inhibitor in the salivary glands was ruled out. It is postulated that the PGS in A. americanum salivary glands may be considerably different from that found in other animals, including vertebrate hosts.