Question

describe how c parvum obtains the glucose it needs for glycolysis after infected another cell. Explain the role of lactate dehydrogenase in enabling C. parvum to continue ATP by glycolysis

Answer 1

Introduction: Cryptosporidium parvum is a mammalian parasite living in the intestine. It causes water borne infection called as cryptosporidiosis. This disease is highly seen in persons with weaker immune system such as HIV, transplant patients, inherited disorders and cancer. The primary symptoms of C. parvum include watery diarrhea without blood, dehydration and fever.

Explanation:

Glucose uptake of C. parvum after infection

C. parvum does not have an active mitochondrion so Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation does not occur. The parasite mainly depends on glycolysis for energy. The glucose has to be scavenged by C. parvum from the host infected cell. In the glycolytic pathway enzymes are found in the organism. Hexokinase, pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructokinase and pyruvate dehydrogenase complex are found in C. parvum. The glycolysis produces organic end products such as lactate, ethanol or acetate formed in C. parvum to maintain the carbon flow, energy and also to recycle NADPH.

Role of lactate dehydrogenase in glycolysis in C. parvum

The parasite C. parvum depends mainly on glycolysis for energy production as ATP. In this parasite, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a major regulator of glycolysis. The parasite primarily depends on anaerobic glycolysis of glucose. The energy enzymes in the glycolytic pathway play an important role in regulation of energy production. LDH plays a central role in regulation of glycolysis. Since mitochondrion is not active, the cytosolic LDH is an active enzyme in the parasite. This is a crucial enzyme where pyruvate is reduced to lactate along with the simultaneous oxidation of NADH to NAD+ that provides energy to the organism anaerobically.