A novel phosphagen phosphotransferase in the plerocercoids of Schistocephalus solidus (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea)

Neither phosphagens nor phosphagen phosphotransferase activity could be detected in Fasciola hepatica, Hymenolepis diminuta, Moniezia expansa or in the plerocercoids of Ligula intestinalis. The plerocercoids of Schistocephalus solidus, however, possess an active taurocyamine phosphotransferase, although it too contains no detectable phosphagens. The taurocyamine phosphotransferase of S. solidus has an absolute requirement for a divalent metal ion and ATP could not be replaced by ITP, GTP, CTP or UTP as the phosphate donor. The role of phosphagens in helminths is discussed.