Adenosine Metabolism in the Parasitic Helminth Dirofilaria Immitis

Abstract

Extracts of Dirofilaria immitis surveyed for the enzymes involved in adenosine metabolism. Adenosine deaminase ( EC 3. 5. 4. 4 ) adenine deaminase ( EC 3. 5. 4. 2 ), catabolic adenosine phosphorylase ( EC 2. 4. 2. 1 ) and adenine phosphoribosyl transferase ( EC 2. 4. 2. 7 ) were all detected at relatively high activities, whereas, anabolic adenosine phosphorylase ( EC 2. 4. 2. 1 ) and adenosine kinase ( EC 2. 7. 1. 20 ) were not detected. The result suggest that in D. immitis the main route of adenosine nucleotide synthesis is through the action of phosphorylase and phosphoribosyl transferase