# REGULATORY ENZYMES IN PARASITIC HELMINTHS

> **NIH NIH R01** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 1988 · $230,716

## Abstract

The overall objective of this research is to gain better understanding of
serotonin-activated adenylate cyclase and enzymes that are regulated by
cyclic AMP in trematodes.  We plan to use Fasciola hepatica to study the
cyclase system in depth.  We will solubilize, purify, and characterize the
serotonin receptors and the GTP-regulatory protein component of the
cyclase.  We plan to characterize and isolate the substrate(s) of cyclic
AMP-dependent  protein kinase from Fasciola.  This includes
phosphofructokinase (PFK) which has just been purified in our laboratory.
We will study the control of fluke PFK through phosphorylation, and the
relationship between PFK structure and its function to meet the metabolic
needs of the parasite.  We will continue with our investigation on the
nature of serotonin activated adenylate cyclase from Schistosoma mansoni.
Some characterization studies will be done on the serotonin receptors to
see how related they are to the Fasciola enzyme.  We plan to identify
serotonin analogs that act as agonists or antagonists on these receptors in
adult schistosomes and in schistosomules, and examine their effect on
development of the parasites.  We will test the possiblity that serotonin
antagonists can adversely affect adult schistosomes or schistosomules in
vitro as well as in the host.  One essential theme that runs through our
research is identification of the differences as well as the similarities
of properties of these enzymes and receptors in parasite and host.  Our
ultimate goal is to identify sites in the parasite that are amenable to
pharmacological manipulation without affecting the host.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3126683
- **Project number:** 5R01AI016501-08
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** HJD6G4D6TJY5
- **Principal Investigator:** TAG E. MANSOUR
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $230,716
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1980-04-01 → 1991-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3126683

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3126683, REGULATORY ENZYMES IN PARASITIC HELMINTHS (5R01AI016501-08). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3126683. Licensed CC0.

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