Glucose dissimilation in Entamoeba histolytica

The endproducts of glucose dissimilation in Entamoeba histolytica were found to be carbon dioxide, acetate and ethanol. This organism possesses the same Embden-Meyerhof intermediates as found in most investigated organisms. In its glucose-to-pyruvate pathway several unusual features were demonstrated. The pyruvate-to-acetate and pyruvate-to-ethanol pathways are also unique as compared with that of other organisms. The distinctive properties of the metabolic enzymes provide the basis for the development of new chemotherapeutic agents against this parasitic protozoa.