| Abstract: | The liver fluke Fasciola hepatica produces eggs with a mechanically tough scleroprotein Shell which is resistant to acids, bases, and proteases. The protein which eventually forms this eggshell is produced and stored in the extensive vitellaria of the organism. Dr. Herbert Waite has isolated and purified a possible eggshell precursor protein from F. hepatica. The origin of the isolated protein was investigated using immostaining techniques. The modification of tyrosine residues to dihydroxyphenylalanine, and the subsequent crosslinking of the protein to form a scleroprotein Shell by quinone tanning was also studied. |
|---|