Biosynthesis of isoprenoid compounds in Schistosoma mansoni.
The isoprenoid biosynthetic capacity of digenetic trematodes was investigated by following the fate of [14C]mevalonic acid incorporated by Schistosoma mansoni during maintenance in axenic culture. Isoprenoid compounds were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. Of the nonsaponifiable lipid classes, radioactivity was recovered in the dolichols, ubiquinones and in the short-chain isoprenoid alcohols. The latter group of lipids included geraniol, farnesol, geranylgeraniol and a compound tentatively identified as 2,3-dihydrogeranylgeraniol. Radioactivity derived from [14C]mevalonate was also incorporated into the saponifiable lipids, with 2,3-dihydrogeranylgeranoic acid accompanied by much less geranylgeranoic acid being detected in the triacylglycerol-containing fraction. Similarly, geranylgeraniol and the dihydro derivative were also detected as esters, presumably with fatty acids. The possible significance of the results is discussed.
Foster
J M
JM
Department of Biochemistry, University of Liverpool, UK.
Pennock
J F
JF
Marshall
I
I
Rees
H H
HH
D000438:Alcohols / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D004286:Dolichols / Q000378:metabolism; D005204:Farnesol / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008798:Mevalonic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000378:metabolism*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000378:metabolism
D000438:Alcohols; D004286:Dolichols; D008055:Lipids; D010743:Phospholipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D014451:Ubiquinone; D005204:Farnesol; D008798:Mevalonic Acid