5′-Nucleotidase activity and substrate affinity in digenetic trematodes

Abstract
5′-nucleotidases of eight species of digenetic trematodes were studied using five different substrates. All species showed the following preferential order of substrate affinity; AMP>CMP>GMP>TMP>UMP. It was observed that different species occupying similar habitats possessed closely related levels of enzyme activities. The function of 5′-nucleotidases in trematodes is also suggested.