Composition and Function of Phospholipids in 'Plasmodium knowlesi'.
Abstract
The work involves the analysis of intact phospholipids in erythrocytes and plasma from rhesus monkeys and in parasites recovered from infected monkeys. The combined thin-layer chromatography-colorimetric assay has a limit of detection of 0.015 micrograms of lipid phosphorus. In comparing erythrocytes from the same animal before and after infection, the greatest difference seen is in phosphatidylinositol. Several differences are apparent between the phospholipids of parasites and infected host cells. Phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine represent larger percentages in the parasite than in the host. In particular, the average phosphatidylinositol content is 1.8% in infected host cells and 4.5% in parasites. Sphingomyelin is strikingly different in the two membranes as well. In the parasite it usually represents less than 20% of its level in the infected red blood cells. (Modified author abstract)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0771072
Entities
People
- William C. Purdy
Organizations
- University of Maryland