Enzyme activity in parotid and mandibular saliva from red kangaroos, Macropus rufus

Abstract

Parotid and mandibular saliva was obtained from red kangaroos by concurrent acetylcholine–isoprenaline stimulation. Salivary proteins were separated by horizontal electrophoresis on either cellulose acetate or starch gels and assessed by specific staining techniques for 23 enzymes commonly found in mammalian tissues and body fluids. Parotid saliva was positive for acid phosphatase, α-amylase, carbonic anhydrase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, sorbitol dehydrogenase and superoxide dismutase activities. Mandibular saliva was positive for alcohol dehydrogenase in addition to the above six enzymes. The kangaroo salivas lacked activity for alkaline phosphatase, β-galactosidase and non-specific esterase which occur in saliva from some mammalian species.