Lipoprotein lipase in the fat body of Triatoma brasiliensis

Lipoprotein lipase activity was detected and characterized in the fat body of Triatoma brasiliensis one of the vector of Chagas' disease. The enzyme activity was close to a free fatty acid production of 47 mumol FFA mg protein-1-h-1 when assayed in the complete system. 2. The enzyme presented maximum activity at pH 8.5. It appeared to be activated by heparin (2 U/ml) and to require a cofactor (rat serum lipoproteins) when assayed with simple triglyceride emulsions. The requirement for a FFA acceptor (albumin or CaCl2) was also observed. 3. Inhibition of enzyme activity by pyrophosphate, HDB, protamine sulphate and 1 m NaC1 indicated further that the enzyme from fat body of T. brasiliensis had the characteristic features of lipoprotein lipase from other sources.