Permeability and membrane transport in the larva of Taenia crassiceps

Abstract

The free pool amino acids of Taenia crassiceps metacestodes (advanced larvae) were analyzed quantitatively. In addition, the uptake of L-glutamic acid, L-proline, L-phenylalanine, L-lysine, and L-methionine was studied. Proline and glutamic acid absorption followed straight-line kinetics with respect to substrate concentration, and were not inhibited by their own molecular species. Lysine, phenylalanine and methionine were found to enter larvae by a combination of diffusion and mediated processes. Lysine absorption was inhibited only by lysine, arginine and ornithine. Phenylalanine and methionine uptake was not inhibited by lysine or arginine, but was inhibited by several other amino acids. The data suggested the presence of a basic amino acid transport locus and two distinct transport loci for methionine absorption. In addition, both immature and advanced larvae were found to be impermeable to [14C]inulin (M.W. ca. 5000). These results are discussed and compared with the results of earlier investigations of protein and amino acid absorption by T. crassiceps larvae.