title: Determination of metabolite and regulatory enzyme levels in Dirofilaria immitis and Ascaris suum: a comparative study.
abstract: Studies on metabolite levels in Dirofilaria immitis revealed similarities in several metabolites with those of Ascaris suum. The glycogen level in the filariid was however 3-4 times lower than that in A. suum. Levels of three regulatory enzymes were also determined in D. immitis and compared with those in A. suum. The activities of Hexokinase and Phosphofructokinase were similar. However, the levels of Glycogen phosphorylase b appeared to be much lower in the filariid than in A. suum. The subtle but important differences observed may reflect modifications of the parasite enzymes suggesting salient differences in the regulation of energy production from carbohydrates in the worms. The differences may also represent specialization required for the unique life style of the worms in their different locations in their hosts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Wariso
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000032:analysis; D000249:Adenosine Monophosphate / Q000032:analysis; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D017165:Ascaris suum / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D015198:Designer Drugs; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005636:Fructosephosphates / Q000032:analysis; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase / Q000032:analysis; D006003:Glycogen / Q000032:analysis; D006593:Hexokinase / Q000032:analysis; D010732:Phosphofructokinase-1 / Q000032:analysis; D010763:Phosphorylase b / Q000032:analysis; D006005:Phosphorylases / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015198:Designer Drugs; D005636:Fructosephosphates; D000249:Adenosine Monophosphate; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate; C027618:fructose-6-phosphate; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D006003:Glycogen; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; D010763:Phosphorylase b; D006005:Phosphorylases; D006593:Hexokinase; D010732:Phosphofructokinase-1