Unique roles for lipids in Schistosoma mansoni.
The dynamic interplay among lipids has been exploited by S. mansoni to evolve some unique processes that are vital for its long-term survival within the mammalian host. Lipids are required by the parasite not only to maintain its surface integrity and structural requirements but also for egg production and cell-cell signalling. However, S. mansoni is incapable of synthesizing essential lipids and must obtain these from its host. In this review, Stephen Furlong describes the roles and routes of acquisition o f lipids by this parasite.
Furlong
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Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Seeley G. Mudd Building, 250 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.