Phosphoglucoseisomerases in the sporocyst of the trematode Schistosoma mansoni and its intermediate host Biomphalaria alexandrina (Pulmonata)

Abstract

It has been found by use of electrophoresis that the hepatopancreas of the snail Biomphalaria alexandrina (Ehrenberg) contains one phosphoglucoseisomerase. Snails which have secondary sporocysts of the trematode Schistosoma mansoni contain an additional phosphoglucoseisomerase which is also found in the adult trematode. It is supposed that the secondary sporocysts are secreting phosphoglucoseisomerase into the hepatopancreas of the snail in order to increase the transformation of glycogen to simpler carbohydrates, in which form the parasite is able to absorb the carbohydrates necessary for metabolism.