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The Microaerophilic Flagellate, Trichomonas vaginalis , Contains Unusual Acyl Lipids but no Detectable Cardiolipin
Author(s) -
GUSCHINA IRINA A.,
HARRIS KRISTINA M.,
MASKREY BEN,
GOLDBERG BURT,
LLOYD DAVID,
HARWOOD JOHN L.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of eukaryotic microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 1066-5234
DOI - 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2008.00365.x
Subject(s) - cardiolipin , phosphatidylglycerol , biology , phosphatidylethanolamine , trichomonas vaginalis , trichomonas , biochemistry , ceramide , flagellate , microbiology and biotechnology , phosphatidylcholine , phospholipid , membrane , botany , apoptosis
. Previous lipid analysis of trichomonads has led to controversy as to whether these hydrogenosome‐containing organisms contain cardiolipin (CL), which is a characteristic component of mitochondria. Here we report a careful lipid analysis of the sexually transmitted protist Trichomonas vaginalis . Major lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine (42%) and phosphatidylcholine (20%) with lesser amounts of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) (12%) and non‐polar components. Two unusual lipids, acyl‐PG (8%) and ceramide phosphorylethanolamine (2%), were also significant components. The structures of these lipids were confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry following reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. This is the first time ceramide phosphorylethanolamine has been reported in a trichomonad. In contrast, CL (diphosphatidylglycerol) could not be detected either by two‐dimensional thin‐layer chromatography or by mass spectrometry. These data are discussed in relation to the organism's phylogenetic origin as a parasite showing secondary adaptation to microaerobic conditions.