Partial characterization of prostaglandin synthetase in the reproductive tract of the male house cricket, Acheta domesticus.

An active prostaglandin (PG) synthetase was found in the 12100 g pellet of reproductive tract homogenates of the male house cricket, Acheta domesticus. Comparatively, the 12100 g supernatant and the microsomal fractions were inactive. The PG synthetase in the pellet fraction was characterized in terms of cofactor, temperature, pH, and incubation time requirements. Indomethacin, a known inhibitor of mammalian PG synthetase, was not inhibitory to the cricket synthetase. The procedure and findings are relevant to PG synthetase studies of any organism or tissue.