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Lipid biosynthesis in Paramphistomum microbothrium (Trematoda)
A O Awharitoma1, F I Opute, S N Ali
1Department of Zoology, University of Benin, Nigeria.
Angewandte Parasitologie
|February 1, 1990
Summary
Paramphistomum microbothrium synthesizes complex lipids from external sources like glucose and acetate. This liver fluke can also create its own cholesterol, indicating significant metabolic capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Parasitology
- Animal Physiology
Background:
- Paramphistomum microbothrium is a trematode parasite affecting livestock.
- Understanding the lipid metabolism of parasites is crucial for developing control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro lipid synthesis capabilities of Paramphistomum microbothrium.
- To determine the metabolic fate of exogenous substrates in the parasite's lipid synthesis pathways.
Main Methods:
- In vitro incubation of Paramphistomum microbothrium with radiolabeled substrates (U-14C glucose, 2-14C acetate, 1-14C oleic acid, U-14C palmitic acid).
- Analysis of substrate incorporation into different lipid classes (phospholipids, neutral lipids, triglycerides).
Main Results:
- Paramphistomum microbothrium incorporated U-14C glucose and 2-14C acetate primarily into phospholipids.
- 1-14C oleic acid and U-14C palmitic acid were mainly found in neutral lipids, with significant amounts in triglycerides.
- The parasite demonstrated de novo cholesterol synthesis.
Conclusions:
- Paramphistomum microbothrium possesses the metabolic machinery to synthesize complex lipids from exogenous substrates.
- The parasite exhibits distinct substrate preferences for phospholipid and neutral lipid synthesis.
- De novo cholesterol synthesis capability in P. microbothrium offers insights into its metabolic plasticity.