Ceramide glycanase (CGase) is an enzyme that cleaves the linkage between the sugar chain and the ceramide. To make this enzyme readily available, we have developed a simple method for preparing it from the earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris. The method involves Bio-Gel A-0.5m, octyl-Sepharose and p-aminophenylthiogalactoside-agarose column chromatography. By gel filtration, the molecular mass of e...

Sustainability of agricultural systems is at stake, as phosphorus (P) a non-renewable resource while its global reserves are limited. Stimulating earthworm activity can be technology to increase the level readily plant-available phosphate (PO4). However, conclusive evidence on mechanisms underlying an earthworm-enhanced PO4 solubility yet missing. This study aimed reveal possibly overlooked pat...

A greenhouse mesocosm experiment, representing earthworm-free North American Acer-dominated forest Xoor and soil conditions, was used to examine the individual and combined eVects of initial invasion by three European earthworm species (Dendrobaena octaedra, Lumbricus rubellus and Lumbricus terrestris) on the forest Xoor and upper soil horizons, N and P availability, and the mortality and bioma...

The purpose of this study was to determine which suture material is the most appropriate for dermal closure of terrestrial annelids. This paper describes the tissue reactions of the earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris, to five different types of suture materials in order to determine which suture material is the most appropriate for dermal closure. Silk, monofilament nylon, polydiaxonone, polyglact...

Earthworms native to the former mine site of Devon Great Consols (DGC), UK reside in soils highly contaminated with arsenic (As). These earthworms are considered to have developed a resistance to As toxicity. The mechanisms underlying this resistance however, remain unclear. In the present study, non-resistant, commercially sourced Lumbricus terrestris were exposed to a typical DGC soil in labo...

The dissociation of the extracellular hemoglobin of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris was investigated. At neutral pH, its sz00,~ = 58.9 f 0.2 S and D:o,w = 1.61 f 0.05 X 1O-7 cm2 s-l corresponded to a molecular weight of 3.23 f 0.18 x 106. A minimum molecular weight of 24,000 per heme group was determined from the iron and heme contents, 0.221 f 0.011 weight % and 2.78 =k 0.14 weight %, respe...