Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Using Fluorescent Proteins to Monitor Glycosome Dynamics in the African Trypanosome
Published on: August 19, 2014
The glycosomal alkyl-dihydroxyacetonephosphate synthase TbADS is essential for the synthesis of ether
Sungsu Lee1, Melanie Cheung-See-Kit1, Tyler A Williams1
1Department of Biological Sciences, St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439, USA.
Abstract:
Glycerophospholipids are the main constituents of the biological membranes in Trypanosoma brucei, which causes sleeping sickness in humans. The present work reports the characterization of the alkyl-dihydroxyacetonephosphate synthase TbADS that catalyzes the committed step in ether glycerophospholipid biosynthesis. TbADS localizes to the glycosomal lumen. TbADS complemented a null mutant of Leishmania major lacking alkyl-dihydroxyacetonephosphate synthase activity and restored the formation of normal form of the ether lipid based virulence factor lipophosphoglycan. Despite lacking alkyl-dihydroxyacetonephosphate synthase activity, a null mutant of TbADS in procyclic trypanosomes remained viable and exhibited normal growth. Comprehensive analysis of cellular glycerophospholipids showed that TbADS was involved in the biosynthesis of all ether glycerophospholipid species, primarily found in the PE and PC classes.
More Related Videos
08:50Author Spotlight: Advancements in Glycosomal pH Monitoring in Trypanosoma brucei Using pHluorin2 Biosensor
Published on: January 19, 2024
14:26Purification of Extracellular Trypanosomes, Including African, from Blood by Anion-Exchangers Diethylaminoethyl-cellulose Columns
Published on: April 6, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Ethers to Alkyl Halides: Acidic Cleavage
Ethers from Alcohols: Alcohol Dehydration and Williamson Ether Synthesis
Ethers can be prepared from organic compounds by various methods. Some of them are discussed below,
Preparation of Ethers by Alcohol Dehydration
In this method, in the presence of protic acids, alcohol dehydrates to produce alkenes and ethers under different conditions. For example, in the presence of sulphuric acid, dehydration of ethanol at 413 K yields ethoxyethane, whereas it yields ethene at 443 K.
Alkylation of β-Ketoester Enolates: Acetoacetic Ester Synthesis
Alkylation of β-Diester Enolates: Malonic Ester Synthesis
Crown Ethers
Structure and Nomenclature of Ethers
Ethers are organic compounds with an ether functional group which is characterized by an oxygen atom connected to two — identical or different — alkyl, aryl, or vinyl groups. The C–O–C linkage in dimethyl ether — the simplest ether — has an approximately tetrahedral bond angle of 110.3 degrees. The oxygen atom is sp3- hybridized, with the C–O distance being about 140 pm.
Classification of Ethers
Based on their attached substituent...