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Multiple sources of esterase enzymes in the crop juice ofCepaea (Mollusca: Helicidae)

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Summary

Previous workers have (a) compared pulmonate crop juice and digestive gland extracts and found a close similarity in the enzymic complements from these two sources, and (b) located specific enzymes within the various cell types of the digestive gland. The digestive gland seems to be the major source of extracellular enzymes but what is not clear is which of the enzymes associated with particular intracellular structures are actively secreted into the crop juice. The present study has used polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis to investigate the digestive gland and crop juice esterases ofCepaea nemoralis andC. hortensis. It appears that only some of the digestive gland esterases are specifically secreted. The variation shown in crop juice esterases suggests three independent sources in the digestive gland. Less detailed studies ofHelix aspersa andArianta arbustorum also indicate multiple sources of extracellular esterases.

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  1. Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, YO1 5DD, York, U.K.

    G. S. Oxford

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  1. G. S. Oxford
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Oxford, G.S. Multiple sources of esterase enzymes in the crop juice ofCepaea (Mollusca: Helicidae). J Comp Physiol B 122, 375–383 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00692522

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