Effect of several factors on the phototactic response of the oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Recently, light traps equipped with light-emitting diode (LED) lights have been used to monitor and control nocturnal insect pests. The oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata Walker, is an important cosmopolitan agriculture pest. The phototactic responses of nocturnal insects, including moths are influenced by abiotic and biological factors. The present study aimed to evaluate the phototactic response to different wavelength LED lights to determine the wavelength to which M. separata adults are most sensitive, and then identify the effects of several factors on the phototactic response. Our experiments revealed that M. separata adult moths had a significantly higher attraction rate to the green (520?nm) LED light compared with other LED lights, the green LED light was 1.28 times more attractive the moths than the commercial double-wave light used as a control. The phototactic response of the adult moths was significantly influenced by several factors, including adaption time in darkness, age, mating status and sexuality. These findings suggest that using a green LED light as a light source in trap could be effective in monitoring or controlling M. separata moths. Our results may provide a theoretical and scientific basis for improving the light trap technique for M. separata moths.     

粘虫飞行过程中四种相关酶的活性变化

对3日龄粘虫雌蛾吊飞过程中4种相关酶3-羟酰辅酶A脱氢酶(HOAD)、3-磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶(GAPDH)、3-磷酸甘油脱氢酶(GDH)和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)的研究结果表明,在室内条件下,粘虫在吊飞过程中其能量代谢有以下特点： 在吊飞的初始5 min,所有与糖代谢和脂肪代谢相关的酶活性都快速升高,这段时期脂肪代谢的酶活性也完全被活化,HOAD活性明显增强;但在随后的5～60 min持续吊飞期间与能量代谢有关的酶活性都有所下降,表明此时飞行活性趋于平稳。飞行中的粘虫具有极高的有氧代谢能力,也具备一定的无氧代谢能力。吊飞过程中HOAD∶GAPDH大于1,说明粘虫飞行过程中能源物质利用属于混合型,但动用脂肪比糖类要多。     

Influence of green light at night on Juvenile hormone in the oriental armyworm Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The oriental armyworm Mythimna separata is an agricultural insect pest in Eastern Asia. Mythimna separata moths have a high phototactic response to green (520 nm) light. The biological characteristics of insects living under light of a specific wavelength at night can change and, accordingly, Juvenile hormone (JH) levels may be influenced by this light. The present study evaluates changes in the total JH levels at different developmental stages (larvae, pupae and adults) of M. separata reared under green light with different exposure periods at night (or dark period). The results show that, when the exposure time per day of the green light at night is extended, the JH levels in the final‐instar larvae (22 days) and older age pupae (8 days) are significantly reduced, and the JH levels in earlier age pupae (4 days) and adults (3, 6 and 9 days) are significantly increased, compared with groups not exposed to green light. Additionally, the JH level of male moths significantly differs from that of the female moths. We suggest that the JH level of M. separata insects could be regulated by the green light at night (or dark period). The findings of the present study will help to explain the relationship between the light environment and biological characteristics in nocturnal moths.     

不同日龄和吊飞过程中桔小实蝇成虫飞行肌能量代谢相关酶活性的变化

【目的】明确桔小实蝇Bactrocera dorsalis(Hendel)飞行肌对能源物质的利用。【方法】通过生化方法测定了能源物质代谢相关5种酶[3-磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶(GAPDH)、3-磷酸甘油脱氢酶(GDH)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、柠檬酸合酶(CS)和3-羟酰辅酶A脱氢酶(HOAD)]活性的变化。【结果】桔小实蝇成虫中所测的5种酶活性随日龄的变化而变化,4日龄GAPDH,GDH,LDH和CS活性最高,20日龄HOAD活性最高。吊飞过程中,GAPDH,GDH和CS的活性变化基本一致,随吊飞时间的延长活性逐渐升高;LDH和HOAD的活性变化雌、雄虫完全不同。雄虫LDH活性除吊飞2 h外其他时间均高于静息状态,雌虫则始终低于静息状态;雄虫HOAD活性只有吊飞24 h低于静息状态水平,而雌虫吊飞后HOAD活性一直在静息状态水平及以下波动。【结论】桔小实蝇飞行所利用的能源物质包括糖类和脂肪,以糖类能源为主。吊飞过程中,雄虫除可以进行高速有氧代谢以外,还具备一定的无氧代谢能力,而雌虫只进行有氧代谢;雄虫能利用脂肪供给能量,雌虫则几乎不动用脂肪。研究结果为进一步阐明桔小实蝇的迁飞行为机制提供了依据。     

粘虫飞行肌中与能量代谢有关的酶活性研究

该文报道粘虫Mythimna separata (Walker ) 蛹及不同日龄成虫飞行肌中与3 种代谢途径有关的5 种酶,即3-磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶(GAPDH)、3-磷酸甘油脱氢酶(GDH)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、3-羟酰辅酶A 脱氢酶(HOAD)、柠檬酸合成酶(CS)活性的变化。成虫羽化后,这5 种酶的活性大多数都高于蛹期,表明成虫飞行肌与能量代谢有关的活动比蛹期高。不同日龄成虫飞行肌的能量代谢特点为：成虫羽化后糖酵解循环的活性增加;1 日龄进行糖酵解的能力较强,2 日龄即具备较强的脂肪代谢能力,2～5日龄糖及脂肪代谢的能力基本相当,但7日龄脂肪代谢的能力较强。1～7日龄粘虫蛾飞行肌具有较高的GDH 和LDH活性,这既是粘虫蛾飞行肌能进行高度有氧代谢的重要标志,也是其具有一定无氧代谢能力的最好说明,而飞行肌中较高的CS活性则是粘虫蛾具有较强飞行能力的重要保证。对成虫GAPDH∶HOAD 活性进行分析比较的结果还显示,粘虫蛾持续飞行的能源物质既有脂类也有糖类,而不仅仅只限于脂类。     

Flight muscle function in Drosophila requires colocalization of glycolytic enzymes.

Structural relationships between the myofibrillar contractile apparatus and the enzymes that generate ATP for muscle contraction are not well understood. We explored whether glycolytic enzymes are localized in Drosophila flight muscle and whether localization is required for function. We find that glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) is localized at Z-discs and M-lines. The glycolytic enzymes aldolase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) are also localized along the sarcomere with a periodic pattern that is indistinguishable from that of GPDH localization. Furthermore, localization of aldolase and GAPDH requires simultaneous localization of GPDH, because aldolase and GAPDH are not localized along the sarcomere in muscles of strains that carry Gpdh null alleles. In an attempt to understand the process of glycolytic enzyme colocalization, we have explored in more detail the mechanism of GPDH localization. In flight muscle, there is only one GPDH isoform, GPDH-1, which is distinguished from isoforms found in other tissues by having three C-terminal amino acids: glutamine, asparagine, and leucine. Transgenic flies that can produce only GPDH-1 display enzyme colocalization similar to wild-type flies. However, transgenic flies that synthesize only GPDH-3, lacking the C-terminal tripeptide, do not show the periodic banding pattern of localization at Z-discs and M-lines for GPDH. In addition, neither GAPDH nor aldolase colocalize at Z-discs and M-lines in the sarcomeres of muscles from GPDH-3 transgenic flies. Failure of the glycolytic enzymes to colocalize in the sarcomere results in the inability to fly, even though the full complement of active glycolytic enzymes is present in flight muscles. Therefore, the presence of active enzymes in the cell is not sufficient for muscle function; colocalization of the enzymes is required. These results indicate that the mechanisms by which ATP is supplied to the myosin ATPase, for muscle contraction, requires a highly organized cellular system.     

Postnatal development of the energy supplying enzyme pattern in the rat brain

The activity of seven enzymes connected with energy-supplying metabolism was followed from the second day of life till adulthood (87th day). The enzymes selected were: 1. Triosephosphate dehydrogenase (TPDH), 2. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), 3. Glycerol-3-phosphate: NAD dehydrogenase (GPDH), 4. Hexokinase (HK), 5. Malate: NAD dehydrogenase (MDH), 6. Citrate syntase (CS) and 7. 3-Hydroxyacyl Co A dehydrogenase. Although some variations occurred, the enzyme profiles were characteristic of those of the nervous tissue from the second day of life onwards until adulthood and displayed relatively high activities of HK, CS and MDH and low activities of TPDH, LDH, GPDH and HOADH. The activities of all enzymes studied here increased during postnatal development and some reached adult values on the 14th day, that of TPDH on the 27th day and HOADH on the 41st day of life. The activities of MDH and GPDH did not attain the adult values still on the 41st day of life. The anaerobic energy supply capacity seems to increase transiently on the 31st day of life, i.e. at a developmental stage where the resistance against hypoxia is known to increase transiently.     

Metabolic and molecular stress responses of gilthead seam bream Sparus aurata during exposure to low ambient temperature: an analysis of mechanisms underlying the winter syndrome

The winter syndrome in the gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata indicates that the species is exposed to critically low temperatures in Mediterranean aquaculture in winter. The present study of metabolic patterns and molecular stress responses during cold exposure was carried out to investigate this “disease”, in light of the recent concept of oxygen and capacity limited thermal tolerance. The metabolic profile of fuel oxidation was examined by determining the activities of the enzymes hexokinase (HK), aldolase (Ald), pyruvate kinase (PK), l-lactate dehydrogenase (l-LDH), citrate synthase (CS), malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and 3-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase (HOAD) in heart, red and white muscle after exposure to temperatures of 10, 14 and 18°C. Especially, the increase in LDH activity combined with the accumulation of l-lactate in tissues indicates that temperatures below 14°C are critical for Sparus aurata and stimulate the anaerobic component of metabolism. Increase in the activity of HOAD suggests that oxidation of free fatty acids might contribute to ATP turnover at low temperatures. The expression of Hsp70 and Hsp90 in all tissues examined revealed a cellular stress response during cooling below 18°C. In the light of winter temperatures in S. aurata cultures around 10°C, our data suggest that the fish are exposed to stressful conditions at the low end of their thermal tolerance window. These conditions likely impair the aerobic capacity of the fish, compromise the rates of growth and reproduction and may contribute to elicit pathological conditions.     

Effects of ATP on the stability of enzymes against heat treatment in 6-aminonicotinamide treated quail

The stabilities of liver and pectoral muscle enzymes in 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN) treated quail against heat treatment in the presence and absence of added ATP were investigated. Only ATP level in the brain and pectoral muscle of 6-AN treated group was significantly reduced compared to the control group whereas ADP and AMP levels were not affected. In the thermal stability (55 degrees C) of liver enzymes, the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was not affected whereas the activities of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly lowered (P<0.01). The addition of 1mM ATP to liver enzyme extracts of 6-AN group afforded 4- and 1.7-fold more protection for GAPDH and LDH, respectively (P<0.01). In liver, LDH appeared to be more protected by ATP than GAPDH. In muscle, however, GAPDH and AChE activity were significantly affected but not LDH. The addition of 1mM ATP to muscle enzyme extracts of 6-AN group afforded 1.7-fold more protection for GAPDH (P<0.01) but rather inactivated AChE. A marked reduction in ATP levels in muscle did not affect specifically muscle enzyme activities only since liver enzyme activities were also affected to the same degree as muscle.     

Glycerol Phosphate Dehydrogenase, Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase, and Lactate Dehydrogenase: Activities in Oligodendrocytes, Neurons, Astrocytes, and Myelin Isolated from Developing Rat Brains

Abstract: Glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities were determined in Oligodendrocytes, neurons, and astrocytes isolated from the brains of developing rats. The activity of each enzyme was significantly lower in both neurons and astrocytes than in Oligodendrocytes. The GPDH activity in Oligodendrocytes increased more than 4-fold during development, and at 120 days cells of this type had 1.4-fold the specific activity of forebrain homogenates. The G6PDH activities in Oligodendrocytes from 10-day-old rats were 1.4-fold the activities in the forebrain homogenates. The activities of this enzyme in Oligodendrocytes were progressively lower at later ages, such that at 120 days the cells had 0.8 times the specific activities of homogenates. The Oligodendrocytes had 0.6 times the homogenate activities of LDH at 10 days, and this ratio had decreased to 0.2 by 120 days. These enzymes were also measured in myelin isolated from 20-, 60-, and 120-day-old rats. By 120 days the specific activities of G6PDH and LDH in myelin were <8% of the respective activities in homogenates. The GPDH activity in myelin was, however, at least 20% the specific activity in the homogenates, even in the oldest animals. It is proposed that LDH could be used as a marker for oligodendroglial cytoplasm in subfractions of myelin and in myelin-related membrane vesicles.     

High pressure effects on the activity of glycolytic enzymes

High hydrostatic pressure inhibits growth in most organisms; this may be explained by a deactivation of enzymes involved in essential metabolic pathways. In order to check this hypothesis the enzymic activity of rabbit muscle lactic dehydrogenase and yeast glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was investigated in the presence of the coenzyme and excess of substrate at pressures up to 2 kbar.Kinetic analysis of an initial phase of pressure induced activation and of a second phase of reversible deactivation shows that the two enzymes respond to high pressures in different ways leading to a volume of activation of ΔV³(LDH) = 0 ± 1 cm³ mol⁻¹ and ΔV³(GAPDH) = 60 ± 4 cm³ mol⁻¹, respectively. Comparing the lower limits of pressure deaclivation, LDH is found to be more stable towards pressure than GAPDH. At p ≈ 2 kbar total deactivation of both enzymes is observed. A concentration dependent lag of GAPDH reactivation proves dissociation to participate in the process of deactivation, while the effects for LDH are explicable on the basis of reversible denaturation alone.     

Application of short column gel permeation in the study of protein-protein interactions

A simple and rapid procedure based on the gel filtration principle is described together with its applicability to the study of protein-protein interactions including subunit-subunit and enzyme-enzyme interactions. Using this procedure, it is shown that phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) interact with a stoichiometry of one PGK molecule combining with one monomeric subunit of GPDH. This interaction has been observed with both enzymes being from the same, as well as from different, species. The K_d values for rabbit muscle PGK and porcine muscle GPDH complex and that for the rabbit muscle PGK and yeast GPDH complex are found to be (4.5 ± 2.0) × 10⁻⁷ M and (6.5 ± 1.7) × 10⁻⁷ M, respectively. The specificity of bienzyme association is stronger when enzymes are from the same species than when they are from different species.     

STUDIES ON THE BIOCHEMICAL BASIS OF DISTAL AXONOPATHIES–I. INHIBITION OF GLYCOLYSIS BY NEUROTOXIC HEXACARBON COMPOUNDS

Abstract— Neurotoxic hexacarbon compounds 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD) and methyl n-butyl ketone (M n BK) inhibit crystalline and endogenous CNS and PNS glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Preincubation of the enzyme with the toxin was necessary for inhibition. The enzyme activity of GAPDH was preserved by the addition of dithiothreitol in the presence of either neurotoxin. By contrast, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was not inhibited by these neurotoxic chemicals. Neurologically inactive compounds 1,6-hexanediol and acetone failed to inhibit GAPDH. The present data indicate that 2,5-HD and M "BK block energy metabolism by inhibiting glycolysis at the site of GAPDH. These observations may account for the known failure of GAPDH-dependent axonal transport and the axonal degeneration which occurs in hexacarbon neuropathy.     

Light Modulation of Enzyme Activity in Chloroplasts: Generation of Membrane-bound Vicinal-Dithiol Groups by Photosynthetic Electron Transport

Inhibitor experiments indicate that photosynthetic electron transport is required for light activation of the pea (Pisum sativum) leaf chloroplast enzymes NADP-linked glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, NADP-linked malic dehydrogenase, ribulose-5-phosphate kinase and sedoheptulose-1,7-diphosphate phosphatase, and for inactivation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Modulation of the activity of the dehydrogenases and kinase apparently involves a component preceding ferredoxin in the photosynthetic electron transport chain; activation of the phosphatase involves an electron transport component at the level of ferredoxin. Modulation of enzyme activity can be obtained in a broken chloroplast system consisting of membrane fragments and stromal extract. The capacity for light regulation in this system is reduced or eliminated when the membrane fraction is exposed to arsenite in the light or to sulfite in light or dark. Light-generated vicinal-dithiols seem therefore to be involved in modulation of the activity of the enzymes included in this study.     

Cadmium and mercury cause an oxidative stress-induced endothelial dysfunction

We investigated the ability of cadmium and mercury ions to cause endothelial dysfunction in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cell monolayers. Exposure of monolayers for 48 h to metal concentrations greater than 3–5 μM produced profound cytotoxicity (increased lactate dehydrogenase leakage), a permeability barrier failure, depletion of glutathione and ATP and almost complete inhibition of the activity of key thiol enzymes, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). In contrast, metal concentrations less than 1–2 μM induced increases in glutathione and thiol-enzyme activities with minimal changes in LDH leakage, barrier function and ATP content. At shorter incubation times (24 h or less), high concentrations of cadmium caused glutathione induction rather than depletion. Thus, oxidative stress and cytotoxicity induced by lower concentrations of the metal ions stimulate compensatory responses, including increased synthesis of glutathione, which presumably preserved the activity of key thiol enzymes, however these responses were not sustainable at higher metal ion concentrations. We conclude, while high concentrations of heavy metals are cytotoxic, lower concentration induce a compensatory protective response, which may explain threshold effects in metal-ion toxicity.     

Appearance of a second form of hepatic glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase during neonatal development in the mouse

Livers of 4-day-old Balb/c mice contain a single form of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH, sn-glycerol-3-phosphate:NAD 2-oxido-reductase, EC 1.1.1.8), which is designated GPDH I. The amount of hepatic GPDH I declines during maturation and levels off by about 6–7 weeks of age. During neonatal development a second form of the enzyme, GPDH II, appears. In mature Balb/c mice (6–7 weeks of age) GPDH II comprises about 30% of the total hepatic GPDH activity. Half-maximal levels of GPDH II are attained by about 18 days postpartum. The rate of appearance of GPDH II is not affected by premature weaning. Hepatic GPDH II is chromatographically distinct from hepatic GPDH I or the embryonic isozyme observed in neonatal brains. Thermal denaturation studies indicate that GPDH I and II from Balb/c mice are denatured at 50 °C with a half-time of about 2 min while the embryonic isozyme is denatured with a half-time of about 30 s. GPDH I and II isolated from C57BL6 mice are denatured at 50 °C with a half-time of 6 min while forms I and II from DDS mice are denatured with a half-time of about 12 min. Kinetic studies reveal that GPDH II and the embryonic isozyme have similar apparent affinities for NADH and dihydroxyacetone phosphate. The apparent affinity of GPDH I for NAD, NADH, dihydroxyacetone phosphate, and glycerol-3-phosphate is lower than that of GPDH II.     

Regulation of the glucolytic enzymes inPseudomonas putida

Summary The synthesis of glucose catabolizing enzymes is under inductive control inPseudomonas putida. Glucose, gluconate and 2-ketogluconate are the best nutritional inducers of these enzymes. Mutants unable to catabolize gluconate or 2-ketogluconate synthesized relatively high levels of glucose dehydrogenase and gluconate-6P dehydrase activities when grown in the presence of these substrates. This identifies both compounds as true inducers of these enzymes. KDGP aldolase is induced by its substrate, as evidenced by the inability of mutant cells unable to form KDGP to produce this enzyme at levels above the basal one. A 3-carbon compound appears to be the inducer of glyceraldehyde-3P dehydrogenase. This pattern of regulation suggests that there is a low degree of coordinate control in the synthesis of the glucolytic enzymes byP. putida. This is also supported by the lack of proportionality found in the levels of two enzymes governed by the same inducers, glucose dehydrogenase and gluconate-6P dehydrase, in cells grown on different conditions.Abbrevitions P phosphate - KDGP 2-Keto-3-deoxygluconate-6-phosphate - GDH glucose dehydrogenase - GNDH gluconate dehydrogenase - GK glucokinase - GNK gluconokinase - KGK ketogluconokinase - KGR 2-Ketogluconate-6-phosphate reductase - GPDH glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase - GNPD gluconate-6-phosphate dehydrase - KDGPA 2-Keto-3-deoxygluconate-6-phosphate aldolase - GAPDH glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase     

Consequences of the presence of 24-epibrassinolide, on cultures of a diatom, Asterionella formosa

Addition of the plant hormone 24-epibrassinolide to culture media stimulated the growth of a freshwater diatom, Asterionella formosa. The hormone stimulated activity of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), a key enzyme from Calvin cycle, by 6-fold. Other key metabolic enzymes, phosphofructokinase and malate dehydrogenase were also stimulated but to a lesser extent. The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, involved in the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, also increased in the presence of the hormone but only under non reducing conditions. In cells stimulated by epibrassinolide, activated enzymes were sensitive to oxidized-DTT. GAPDH purified from cells grown in the presence of the hormone was not associated with a small protein of 8.5 kDa shown to be similar to CP12. Consequently the activity of GAPDH was no longer regulated by either oxidizing or reducing conditions. Among enzymes that, like GAPDH, responded positively to reducing agent were fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH). These enzymes were also sensitive to, and were negatively regulated by, oxidized-DTT. The activities in extracts from illuminated cells differed from those from darkened cells: FBPase, G6PDH and GAPDH, that were activated by DTT in darkened cells were no more activated in illuminated cells, but were oxidized by oxidized-DTT. Thus, oxidizing or reducing conditions mimic the conditions in dark and light, respectively. Unlike the other enzymes, phosphofructokinase (PFK) was inhibited by DTT but oxidized-DTT reversed this effect. The enzymes shown to be redox regulated in vitro by reduction/oxidation are very likely candidates for regulation in vivo by thioredoxins.     

Microphotometric determination of enzymes in brain sections. V. Glycerophosphate dehydrogenases

An incubation medium was adapted for the microphotometric determination (kinetic and end-point measurements) of the activities of mitochondrial alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) in the rat hippocampus. For comparison, the activities of the cytoplasmic NAD-linked alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase were also measured. The study showed that in the demonstration of both enzymes the use of an exogenous electron carrier is necessary. Both enzymes react to phenazine methosulfate (PMS) which transfers reduction equivalents to the electron acceptor nitroblue tetrazolium chloride (NBT), thus causing a coreaction of GPDH in the demonstration of NAD-GPDH. Therefore, only the NAD-independent GPDH which is stimulated by menadione, can be selectively demonstrated in the histochemical procedure applied. The final incubation medium of GPDH consisted of 15 mM L-glycerol 3-phosphate, 5 mM NBT, 0.4 mM menadione, 7.5% polyvinyl alcohol in 0.5 M Hepes buffer, pH 8; the final pH of the incubation medium was 7.5. A linear response of the reaction lasted about 5 min. There was a linear relationship between section thickness and the formation of reaction product up to a section thickness of 14 microns. The apparent Km value at 25 degrees C was 0.6 mM. It is concluded that using menadione histochemical methods are suited to determine the mitochondrial GPDH activities in brain sections whereas using PMS a coreaction of GPDH takes place in the demonstration of NAD-GPDH, so that a histochemical quantification of NAD-GPDH cannot be recommended.     

Trypanosoma evansi is alike to Trypanosoma brucei brucei in the subcellular localisation of glycolytic enzymes

Trypanosoma evansi, which causes surra, is descended from Trypanosoma brucei brucei, which causes nagana. Although both parasites are presumed to be metabolically similar, insufficient knowledge of T. evansi precludes a full comparison. Herein, we provide the first report on the subcellular localisation of the glycolytic enzymes in T. evansi, which is a alike to that of the bloodstream form (BSF) of T. b. brucei: (i) fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, phosphoglycerate kinase, triosephosphate isomerase (glycolytic enzymes) and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (a glycolysis-auxiliary enzyme) in glycosomes, (ii) enolase, phosphoglycerate mutase, pyruvate kinase (glycolytic enzymes) and a GAPDH isoenzyme in the cytosol, (iii) malate dehydrogenase in cytosol and (iv) glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in both glycosomes and the cytosol. Specific enzymatic activities also suggest that T. evansi is alike to the BSF of T. b. brucei in glycolytic flux, which is much faster than the pentose phosphate pathway flux, and in the involvement of cytosolic GAPDH in the NAD⁺/NADH balance. These similarities were expected based on the close phylogenetic relationship of both parasites.