# ANAEROBIC ENERGY METABOLISM OF PARASITIC HELMINTHS

> **NIH NIH R01** · BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY · 1989 · $90,662

## Abstract

The adult parasitic helminths presents a unique chemotherapeutic
problem.  Unlike other pathogens, in which metabolic events
associated with proliferation can be disrupted, the helminths are
more sensitive to agents that alter energetic or energy-related
events, neurotransmission or neuromuscular activity.  Thus, as
part of a three-pronged chemotherapeutic strategy, it is essential
to understand and evaluate the energetic mechanisms of the
helminths because such evaluations assist in the determination of
vulnerable sites for specific chemotherapeutic attack and present
a reasonable approach to the development and assay of agents
displaying chemotherapeutic efficacy.

The proposed research focuses on the energetic impact of two
mitochondrial systems, i.e., the inner membrane-associated
NADPH:NAD and NADH:NAD transhydrogenations, on the
helminths and an evaluation of the key mitochondrial electron
transport complex of the helminths employing adult H. diminuta
as the model.  A vast number of the adult helminths are
predominantly anaerobic energetically and accumulate succinate
(or products derived from succinate) as the result of carbohydrate
catabolism.  Succinate is formed by the essential, anaerobic,
mitochondrial electron transport mechanism of the helminths.
The studies proposed address the energetic significance of the
transhydrogenations and characteristics of the mitochondrial
complex associated with anaerobic energy generation.  The
proposed studies will permit a novel evaluation of the
NAPDH:NAD system in terms of protonmotive function,
transmembrane configuration, potential energy conservation and
composition, the potential of the NADH:NAD system to act in
vectorial transmembrane hydride translocation, and the possible
association of the transhydrogenations with a "Complex I" of
helminth mitochondria.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3126260
- **Project number:** 5R01AI015597-09
- **Recipient organization:** BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** SLT3EB6G3FA9
- **Principal Investigator:** CARMEN F FIORAVANTI
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $90,662
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1979-01-01 → 1991-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3126260

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3126260, ANAEROBIC ENERGY METABOLISM OF PARASITIC HELMINTHS (5R01AI015597-09). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3126260. Licensed CC0.

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