De novo purine biosynthesis in a free living protozoan parasite, Acanthamoeba polyphaga [correction of polypha].
A free living protozoon, Acanthamoeba polyphaga 435/89, was shown to utilize radiolabelled formate and glycine as precursors for purine biosynthesis and to grow in medium devoid of any source of preformed purine compounds. The organism also incorporated into its nucleic acids radiolabel derived from adenosine and guanosine indicating presence of purine salvage pathway. Thus, the presence in A. polyphaga 435/89 of active de novo purine biosynthesis in addition to a purine salvage pathway may be a general characteristics of free-living protozoan organisms since parasitic protozoans are devoid of de novo purine biosynthesis.
Department of Biological and Medical Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
P O
PO
Ogbunude
H P
HP
Baer
D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D015823:Acanthamoeba Keratitis / Q000469:parasitology; D000241:Adenosine / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003470:Culture Media; D006151:Guanosine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D011687:Purines / Q000378:metabolism*
D003470:Culture Media; D011687:Purines; D006151:Guanosine; D000241:Adenosine