Temperature acclimation of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigote and metacyclic trypomastigote lipids

Fetal Bovine Serum Concentration Affects Δ9 Desaturase Activity of Trypanosoma cruzi

“…Modification in the degree of unsaturation of FAs in T. cruzi was also observed by Florin-Christensen et al [5] when epimastigotes were transferred from 28 to 37°C, reflecting a response to environmental conditions. In the present study, desaturase activity was detected in all fractions studied, indicating a complex distribution pattern as shown for Tetrahymena pyriformis [24].…”

“…In T. cruzi, it has been demonstrated that the oleic acid present in the intestinal extracts of T. infestans induce cell differentiation of T. cruzi epimastigotes into the infective metacyclic form [3]. As part of a strategy for surviving in these different environmental conditions, T. cruzi adjusts the balance between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (FAs) in certain membrane lipids [4,5]. Desaturases are key enzymes in FA metabolism required to regulate physical and biochemical properties of membranes [6].…”

“…Since FAs are the main constituents of membrane glycerolipids, modulation of the number and position of double bonds in acyl chains by individual FA desaturases helps maintain the proper dynamic state of the membrane bilayer during environmental impacts [10]. Temperature changes have been shown to modulate the ratio of saturated to unsaturated FAs in T. cruzi [5]. The concentration of fetal bovine serum (FBS) in the culture medium also affects the degree of unsaturation.…”

A unique phospholipid organization in bovine erythrocyte membranes

“…To investigate how lysophospholipids partition between serum and erythrocytes, washed erythrocytes were resuspended in an equal volume of serum obtained from the same animal. Radiolabeled LPC and LPE were prepared starting from PC and PE purified from metabolically labeled Trypanosoma cruzi cultures incubated with [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] C]stearic acid in the conditions described before (26,27). For lysocompound preparations, bee venom Plase A 2 (50 units͞ml) in TBS 2 mM CaCl 2 30 mM sodium borate, pH 8.1, was used.…”

A Method for Distinguishing 1-Acyl from 2-Acyl Lysophosphatidylcholines Generated in Biological Systems

“…After this labeling period, the cells were exposed to 42°C for 30 min, a lethal condition in which lysocompounds and free fatty acids accumulate. Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes, strain RA, were cultured at 30°C for 48 h, in a biphasic medium, as previously described (16). Homogenates obtained by freezing and thawing a 25-ml suspension of parasites washed thrice in PBS (10 8 cells/ml) were allowed to autolyze for 24 h at 37°C.…”