title: In vitro uptake and incorporation of [3H]glucosamine and [3H]leucine by Plagiorchis elegans metacercariae.
abstract: We examined the ability of Plagiorchis elegans metacercariae to take up [3H]glucosamine and [3H]leucine in vitro and incorporate these precursors into parasite tissues at various times in their development. Uptake of both precursors was greater by young metacercariae (< or = 8 hr postinfection [PI]) than old metacercariae (> 8 hr PI). Virtually all [3H]glucosamine was incorporated into juvenile worms, whereas only small amounts of [3H]leucine were incorporated into both juvenile worms and cyst walls. [3H]glucosamine was incorporated into a variety of proteins by 2-hr- and 5-day-old metacercariae as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. There was evidence of developmentally regulated or stage-specific expression of 14-, 19.5-, and 37-kDa proteins by older metacercariae. These results suggest a differential incorporation of nutrients procured from the insect host into parasite tissues by metacercariae of different ages over the course of their development.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lowenberger
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chadee
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D007553:Isotope Labeling; D007930:Leucine / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D014200:Trematoda / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015801:Helminth Proteins; D007930:Leucine; D005944:Glucosamine