THE METABOLISM OF ASCARIS LUMBRICOIDES OVARIES: I. NITROGEN DISTRIBUTION

Abstract

The protein fraction obtained from Ascaris lumbricoides ovaries was analyzed for total, α-amino, and amide nitrogen, as well as amino acids and nucleic acids. In the corresponding non-protein fraction total, α-amino, amide, and ammonia nitrogen, and free amino acids and urea, were determined. Free and protein amino acids were qualitatively similar, but quantitatively dissimilar. Unusually large amounts of proline and alanine were found in the proteins, whereas arginine and methionine could not be identified in protein or free acids. Glutamic acid and alanine comprised one-half of the free acids. Ammonia was present in relatively high concentration, but urea was absent. Much of the non-protein nitrogen was not identified. Ribo- and desoxyribonucleic acids were found in approximately the relative proportions occurring in rat liver, but in much lower concentration. The existence of phosphoproteins was not clearly established. Glycogen and total reducing substances, however, were present initially in high concentrations which decreased markedly when the parasites were maintained in a non-nutrient medium.