Isoenzymes of phenol oxidase in adult female Schistosoma japonicum.

Isoelectric focusing was used to study the phenol oxidase isozymes in adult female worms of Schistosoma japonicum. More than one form of phenol oxidase has been demonstrated in extracts of female worms when incubated with 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), catechol or cresol as substrates. DOPA is the best substrate among all of them. The 5-6 bands of phenol oxidase exhibit pI values in the range of 6.0-7.5, the major band is at pI 6.0.