Studies on enzymes from parasitic helminths—V. Purification and characterization of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase from Ascaris suum muscle

Kochman, Marian; Gołēbiowska, Jadwiga; Baranowski, T; Dedman, John R.; Fodge, Douglas W.; Harris, Ben G.

doi:10.1016/0305-0491(75)90068-1

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…3, lane 3). This was not due to a lack of mRNA from Ascaris, because we were able to amplify a 451-bp mRNA corresponding to G3PDH from the worm (34). Sequence analysis of the Mytilus PCR product demonstrated that the receptor fragment exhibited 95% sequence identity with the human brain opiate receptor (32).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 82%

Ascaris suum, an Intestinal Parasite, Produces Morphine

Goumon

Casares

Pryor

et al. 2000

The Journal of Immunology

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The parasitic worm Ascaris suum contains the opiate alkaloid morphine as determined by HPLC coupled to electrochemical detection and by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The level of this material is 1168 ± 278 ng/g worm wet weight. Furthermore, Ascaris maintained for 5 days contained a significant amount of morphine, as did their medium, demonstrating their ability to synthesize the opiate alkaloid. To determine whether the morphine was active, we exposed human monocytes to the material, and they immediately released nitric oxide in a naloxone-reversible manner. The anatomic distribution of morphine immunoreactivity reveals that the material is in the subcuticle layers and in the animals’ nerve chords. Furthermore, as determined by RT-PCR, Ascaris does not express the transcript of the neuronal μ receptor. Failure to demonstrate the expression of this opioid receptor, as well as the morphine-like tissue localization in Ascaris, suggests that the endogenous morphine is intended for secretion into the microenvironment.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 82%