Comparison of glycolysis and glutaminolysis in Onchocerca volvulus and Brugia pahangi by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Abstract

SummaryComparison of glycolysis in Brugia pahangi and Onchocerca volvulus by C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy showed that the former organism is predominantly a lactate fermenter and the latter resembles more closely the metabolism of a mixed acid fermenter producing lactate, succinate, acetate, ethanol, formate and carbon dioxide. Both organisms synthesize glycogen as a storage carbohydrate. Glutaminolysis in both organisms proceeds by the δ-aminobutyrate shunt to produce succinate which is then further metabolized to acetate and carbon dioxide as end-products.