The Biochemisrty Of Intracellular Parasitism

This publication is a collection of essays on the biology of intracellular parasitisms where both bacterial and protozoan parasites are discussed. The juxtaposition of authors representing fields of research emphasizes the many common problems facing intracellular parasites and the hosts that harbor them. In addition, numerous illustrations of how different parasites and host attempt to solve these problems in different ways are provided. The book includes one or more chapters on Bdellovibrio, Chlamydia, Rickettsia, Coxiella, Legionella, Shigellae, Mycobacterium, Microsporidium, Plasmodium, and Toxoplasma. The authors frequently speculate and generalize on the subject matter discussed.

Volume 18 of the Subcellular Biochemistry series, which specializes in various aspects of the biochemistry of the intracellular parasites, was initially proposed by Jose Luis Avila and strongly supported by myself, as Series Editor of Sub cellular Biochemistry. Considerable assistance was received from Professor Frank Wunderlich (University of Dusseldorf) and more particularly from Dr. Michael Miles (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) during the compilation of the list of possible chapters. Our initial aim was to present a comprehensive survey of this broad field of study. Although some interesting topics have been lost due to authors backing out late in the production schedule of the book, the manuscripts that were submitted have provided a useful over view of the subject, with notable strength within the field of Leishmania. The 13 chapters of the book have been grouped according to subject. The first five chapters deal with Leishmania and are followed by two chapters on Try ponosoma cruzi, two on the malarial parasites, and two on the Coccidia. The fmal two chapters cover the Microsporidia and chemotherapy, respectively.

This book is about mechanisms of intracellular parasitism of Legionella, Listeria and Mycobacterium. The presented data illustrate the hypothesis that one of the ways by which intracellularly multiplying bacteria influence the bactericidal response of phagocytes is by altering signaling cascades in eukaryotes. To achieve this goal bacteria are capable to produce enzymes and other biologically active compounds which misdirect signaling pathways for the benefit of the parasites. The book is composed of two main parts. The first provides general information on signaling cascades in eukaryotic cells. Analysis of Legionella, Listeria and Mycobacterium products possessing regulatory activity toward metabolism of host cells, essentially by affecting signal transduction in eukaryotes, is performed in the second section.

The Biochemistry of Parasites documents the proceedings of the Satellite Conference of the 13th Meeting of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS) held in Jerusalem, August 1980. The conference presented the opportunity to summarize work done by parasite biochemists and introduce this field to workers in classical biochemistry. The 45 papers in this volume are divided into two sections covering parasite biomembranes and parasite metabolism. The papers in the biomembranes section are further divided in two parts: the parasite membrane (Part I) and adherence of the parasite to host tissues (Part II). Part I is concerned with both classical and novel aspects of membrane structure and function. It includes studies on the membrane of the leishmania; the surface coat of trypanosomes; membrane function; and transport across the cell membrane. Part II covers topics such as the adherence of pathenogenic microorganisms and the importance of of carbohydrates in parasite-host adherence. The papers in the parasite metabolism section focus primarily on three groups of parasites: leishmania, malaria, and helminthes. Topics covered include the isolation and characterization of a proteolytic enzyme from Plasmodium lophurae (duck malaria); the selection and culture of malaria parasites resistant to aminopterin; and regulation of cyclic AMP metabolism in Leishmania promastigotes and amastigotes.

The study of parasitic organisms at the molecular level has yielded fascinating new insights of great medical, social, and economical importance, and has pointed the way for the treatment and prevention of the diseases they cause. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Parasites presents an up-to-date account of this modern scientific discipline in a manner that allows and encourages the reader to place the biochemistry and molecular biology of these organisms in their biological context. The chapters are cross-referenced and grouped in an arrangement that provides a fully integrated whole, and permits the reader to create a composite of the biochemical function of these organisms. Individual chapter includes those devoted to metabolism, in both aerobic and anaerobic protozoa; antioxidant mechanisms; parasite surfaces; organelles; invasion mechanisms; and chemotherapy. The helminths are discussed not only from the point of view of their cellular biochemistry and metabolism, but also with respect to both their integrated functions such as neurochemistry, structure and functions of surfaces, and reproduction. Written by expert investigators, this book will be of interest to all experienced researchers, graduate students, and to the newcomer eager to become familiar with the biochemistry and molecular biology of parasites.