Echinococcus granulosus: occurrence of ecdysteroids in protoscoleces and hydatid cyst fluid.
Abstract: Both free ecdysteroids and hydrolysable polar conjugated ecdysteroids were detected in protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus from the equine host, and in hydatid cyst fluid from the same source. Comparisons were made of hydatid cyst fluid from E. granulosus infections of three intermediate host species: horses, sheep and humans. Ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone were identified in both protoscoleces and hydatid cyst fluids by high-performance liquid chromatography monitoring fractions by radioimmunoassay, and by capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (selected ion monitoring). The free ecdysteroid fractions of hydatid cyst fluid from horses and sheep also contained several unidentified, chromatographically unique, immunoreactive compounds which were refractory to hydrolysis with a crude Helix pomatia aryl sulphatase enzyme preparation.
Publication Date: 1987-06-01 PubMed ID: 3627169DOI: 10.1016/0166-6851(87)90107-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article discusses the detection of ecdysteroids in the protoscoleces (larval stage) of Echinococcus granulosus, a parasitic tapeworm found in horses, as well as in the hydatid cyst fluid also from this same source. Several techniques were used to confirm the presence of ecdysteroids and their compounds in different intermediate host species: horses, sheep, and humans.
Detection of Ecdysteroids
- The study revealed both free ecdysteroids and hydrolysable polar conjugated ecdysteroids in the larval state of Echinococcus granulosus (protoscoleces) and in the hydatid cyst fluid, both obtained from horses.
- Ecdysteroids are a type of steroid hormone seen in arthropods that regularly undergo ecdysis, or the shedding of the exoskeleton. In human or livestock hosts, Echinococcus granulosus form cysts in tissues, leading to hydatid disease.
Comparative Analysis
- Using fluids from hydatid cysts in different intermediate hosts: horses, sheep, and humans, comparisons were made regarding the presence and types of ecdysteroids in E. granulosus infections.
Methodology Used
- Ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone were identified in the protoscoleces and hydatid cyst fluids through techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography, with fractions monitored by a radioimmunoassay, and capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (using selected ion monitoring).
- Both ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone are forms of ecdysteroids.
- High-performance liquid chromatography is a method often utilized to separate, identify, and quantify each component in a mixture, whereas mass spectrometry is usually used to determine the fundamental structure and chemical properties of a molecule. Here, these methodologies were critical to the accurate detection of ecdysteroids.
Unidentified Compounds in Ecdysteroid Fractions
- The researchers also discovered several unidentified, immunoreactive compounds in the free ecdysteroid fractions of hydatid cyst fluid from both horses and sheep. These compounds were unique in their chromatographic profile and were found to resist hydrolysis with a crude Helix pomatia aryl sulphatase enzyme preparation.
- This suggests further research is needed into these unidentified compounds in ecdysteroid fractions to fully understand their contribution to the structure and functionality of the tapeworm.
Cite This Article
APA
Mercer JG, Munn AE, Rees HH.
(1987).
Echinococcus granulosus: occurrence of ecdysteroids in protoscoleces and hydatid cyst fluid.
Mol Biochem Parasitol, 24(2), 203-214.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0166-6851(87)90107-1 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
- Ecdysteroids
- Echinococcus / analysis
- Horses
- Humans
- Invertebrate Hormones / analysis
- Radioimmunoassay
- Sheep
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Wang T, Chen X, Yan X, Su Y, Gao W, Liu C, Wang W. Progress in serology and molecular biology of equine parasite diagnosis: sustainable control strategies. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1663577.
- Yang M, Li J, Wu J, Wang H, Guo B, Wu C, Shou X, Yang N, Zhang Z, McManus DP, Zhang F, Zhang W. Cloning and characterization of an Echinococcus granulosus ecdysteroid hormone nuclear receptor HR3-like gene. Parasite 2017;24:36.
- Romano MC, Jiménez P, Miranda-Brito C, Valdez RA. Parasites and steroid hormones: corticosteroid and sex steroid synthesis, their role in the parasite physiology and development. Front Neurosci 2015;9:224.
- Fernández Presas AM, Valdez RA, Willms K, Romano MC. The key steroidogenic enzyme 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in Taenia solium and Taenia crassiceps (WFU). Parasitol Res 2008 Sep;103(4):847-52.
- Valdéz RA, Jiménez P, Cartas AL, Gómez Y, Romano MC. Taenia solium cysticerci synthesize androgens and estrogens in vitro. Parasitol Res 2006 Apr;98(5):472-6.
- Yarim M, Yildiz K, Kabakci N, Karahan S. Immunohistochemical localisation of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in Sarcocystis spp. Parasitol Res 2004 Aug;93(6):457-60.
- Webb TJ, Powls R, Rees HH. Enzymes of ecdysteroid transformation and inactivation in the midgut of the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis: properties and developmental profiles. Biochem J 1995 Dec 1;312 ( Pt 2)(Pt 2):561-8.
- Hurd H, Mercer JG, Munn AE. The effect of Hymenolepis diminuta upon ecdysteroid activity in the haemolymph of the intermediate host, Tenebrio molitor. Parasitol Res 1987;74(2):198-9.
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