Heme synthesis in Trypanosoma cruzi: influence of the strain and culture medium

The activity of the following enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of porphyrins was determined in two strains of Trypanosoma cruzi (Y and CL) grown in two culture media (LIT and Warren): succinyl coenzyme A synthetase (Suc.CoA-S), 5-aminolevulinate synthetase (ALA-S), 4,5-dioxovaleric acid transaminase (DOVA-T), 5-aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALA-D), porphobilinogenase (PBGase), deaminase and heme synthetase (Heme-S). The amount of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and porphobilinogen, porphyrins and heme was also determined. ALA and PGB were detected in both strains of T. cruzi. However, ALA was not detected in epimastigotes of the Y strain grown in the LIT medium. The content of ALA and PBG varied according to the strain and the growth medium. No free porphyrins and heme were detected in both strains of T. cruzi. The activity of Suc.CoA-S and DOVA-T was markedly influenced by the strains of the parasite and the growth medium. No significant DOVA-T activity was detected in epimastigotes of the CL strain grown in the Warren's medium. No significant activity of ALA-D, PBGase and deaminase was detected in T. cruzi. Activity of Heme-S was detected in both strains of T. cruzi when mesoporphyrin, protoporphyrin or deuteroporphyrin was used as substrate. The enzyme activity was influenced by the strain of the parasite, the growth medium and the substrate used.