# INTERMEDIARY METABOLISM OF HELMINTHS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME · 1991 · $224,122

## Abstract

It is proposed to continue biochemical studies of parasitic
helminths which have been inaugurated over the previous 20 years
of this proposal (AI-09483).  Particular emphasis will continue
to be placed on the intestinal roundworm, Ascaris suum, the
filariids, Brugia pahangi, Litomosoides carinii and Dipetalonema
viteae, the cestode Hymenolepis diminuta and the trematode
Fasciola hepatica.  A number of striking differences have been
shown to exist at the level of overall metabolic pathways,
including energy yielding reactions, as well as at the more
subtle levels of enzyme kinetics, regulation, structure and
intracellular distribution of enzymes.  Such differences are
vulnerable to chemotherapeutic attack.  Detailed metabolic
studies of the parasitic helminths will continue in an effort to
attain a more precise appreciation of the comparative aspects of
host and parasite biochemistry which, in turn, is essential for a
more basic understanding of host-parasite and parasite-drug
interactions.

Specific areas of investigation will include: a) The mechanism
and tightly coupled regulation of succinate and volatile fatty
acid formation by adult Ascaris.  b) Comparative studies of
energy generating reactions in the mitochondria of Ascaris and
other helminths.  These are quite different from the
corresponding reactions of mammalian systems, and include
substrate level phosphorylation from the decarboxylation of
succinate to propionate, as well as electron transport associated
generation of ATP.  c) The metabolism of the Ascaris reproductive
system, which differs considerably from that of the nematode
muscle, will be examined.  d) Relationships between membrane
lecithins, glycerophosphorylcholine and signal transduction will
be probed.  e) Studies of energy and oxidation will be
inaugurated to examine the function of highly cristaeted
mitochondria in the apparently homolactate fermenting filariid
parasites.  f) Additional vulnerable sites for anthelmintic
activity and the modes of action of anthelmintics upon metabolic
reactions in the parasite will be considered.  g) New techniques
of electrophysiology and neuropharmacology of D. viteae have been
developed and will be used employing microelectrodes placed in
individual somatic muscle cells.  h) The non-invasive technique
of 31P and 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance will continue to be
employed to examine metabolism and drug action in intact Ascaris
and Fasciola hepatica.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3124554
- **Project number:** 5R01AI009483-22
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FPU6XGFXMBE9
- **Principal Investigator:** HOWARD J SAZ
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1991
- **Award amount:** $224,122
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1974-10-01 → 1995-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3124554

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3124554, INTERMEDIARY METABOLISM OF HELMINTHS (5R01AI009483-22). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3124554. Licensed CC0.

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