Analyzing Blood Digestion: Estimation of Active Trypsin Levels in the Mosquito Midgut
- 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Veterinary, and Rangeland Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA
- 2Department of Agriculture, Veterinary, and Rangeland Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA
- ↵3Correspondence: mgulianuss{at}unr.edu
Abstract
The Nα-benzoyl-dl-arginine 4-nitroanilide hydrochloride (BApNA) assay is widely used to quantify trypsin in mosquito midguts and is highly sensitive. BApNA is a chromogenic substrate for proteolytic enzymes such as trypsin and amidase. Hydrolysis of BApNA at the bond between the arginine and the p-nitroaniline moieties releases the chromophore p-nitroaniline, which is detected by colorimetric analysis. The intensity of the color is directly proportional to the amount of trypsin in the solution. Here, we present a trypsin measurement assay specifically using the BApNA substrate.
Footnotes
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From the Mosquitoes collection, edited by Laura B. Duvall and Benjamin J. Matthews.
