Isoprenoid biosynthesis in adult Brugia pahangi and Dirofilaria immitis

The ability of adult B. pahangi and D. immitis to utilize [14C]-mevalonate for the biosynthesis of isoprenoid compounds was investigated. Both filariae appeared to be unable to synthesize squalene and sterols de novo. They did, however, synthesize ubiquinone 9, a family of dolichol isoprenologs, and predominantly, the short-chain isoprenoid alcohol, geranyl geraniol. In addition, B. pahangi and D. immitis apparently were unable to synthesize a menaquinone (Vitamin K2) from [14C]-menadione.