An α-glucosidase in the salivary glands of the vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti
Marinotti O., James AA.
An α-glucosidase from the adult salivary glands of the vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti, was characterized. The α-glucosidase is a soluble glycoprotein with Mr 68,000 that is secreted when mosquitoes take a sugar meal. Total activity in the salivary glands is equal between males and females with 82% of the activity in female glands being present in the proximal-lateral lobes. The characteristics of the α-glucosidase correlate well with the putative protein encoded by the Maltase-like I gene. The α-glucosidase is most likely involved in sugar digestion. © 1990.