Plasmodium falciparum and P. knowlesi: Initial identification and characterization of malaria synthesized glycolipids (original) (raw)

1986, Experimental Parasitology

1986. Plasmodium falciparum and P. knowlesi: Initial identification and characterization of malaria synthesized glycolipids. Experimental Parasitology 62, 127-141. This is the first report establishing the existence of glycolipids synthesized by plasmodia, in particular Plasmodiumfulciparum. Trophozoites, schizonts, gametocytes, and gametes were metabolically labeled in vitro with [3H]glucosamine, [3H]galactose, [3H]glucose, [3H]mannose, [3H]fucose, [32P]inorganic phosphate, or [35S]sulfate, and total lipid extracts analyzed by high-performance thin-layer chromatography and autoradiography or fluorography. Parasites incorporated [3H]monosaccharides into distinctly different series of molecules previously undescribed. Three properties of [3H]glucosamine labeled molecules indicate they are glycolipids. First, labeled molecules have lipid solubility properties.