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Protein digestion in the sea gooseberryPleurobranchia bachei A. Agassiz (Ctenophora: Tentaculata)

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Summary

Peaks of proteolytic activity of pharyngeal juice occur at pH 5.75 and pH 7.5. The proteases responsible for digestion include a tryptic alkaline protease and a thiol-activated acid protease which is probably cathepsin B. Levels of proteolytic activity parallel those of other carnivorous invertebrates which feed on zooplankton.

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References

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  3. One unit of activity caused an increase in absorbance of 0.001/min at 37°C.

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Author notes

  1. R. G. B. Reid

    Present address: Department of Biology, University of Victoria, V8W 2Y2, Victoria, B. C., Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, V5A 1S6, Burnaby, (British Columbia), (Canada)

    P. V. Fankboner & R. G. B. Reid

Authors
  1. P. V. Fankboner
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  2. R. G. B. Reid
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Additional information

This study was supported by operating grants from the National Research Council of Canada.

We are grateful to Betsy Sweeney for her technical assistance.

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Fankboner, P.V., Reid, R.G.B. Protein digestion in the sea gooseberryPleurobranchia bachei A. Agassiz (Ctenophora: Tentaculata). Experientia 34, 728–729 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01947285

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01947285

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