Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Immunology and Infectious Disease Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Immunology and Infectious Disease
Serine Palmitoyltransferase And Giardial Encystation, Monica Delgado
Serine Palmitoyltransferase And Giardial Encystation, Monica Delgado
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
Giardia lamblia is a flagellated protozoan parasite responsible for chronic diarrheal disease in humans and animals. Giardia has minimal lipid synThesis machinery and the majority of its lipids are obtained from the small intestine of humans where the trophozoites colonize. Recent results from our laboratory indicate that sphingolipids (SLs) are also important for Giardia and they regulate encystation and cyst production. Only five SL genes are present in this parasite and they are differentially regulated during encystation. In my studies, I found that giardial serine palmitoyltransferase (gSPT) activity is upregulated in encysting cells, suggesting it might play an important role …