Wax esters in the cystacanths ofPolymorphus minutus (Acanthocephala).

The lipids of the cystacanth of the acanthocephalanPolymorphus minutus have been analyzed. Wax esters constituted nearly 90% of the total cystacanth lipids. The wax ester fraction contained approximately 10% steroid ester; the rest was long chain alcohols C12 to C20, largely saturated, esterified with fatty acids C12 to C22, mostly unsaturated, with C18 predominating. Corresponding quantities of wax esters were not found in the adult parasite. Cholesterol was identified as the only steroid present in the cystacanth.

Acetaldehyde formation by mitochondria from the free-living nematode Panagrellus redivivus.

The mitochondrial fraction from the free-living nematode Panagrellus redivivus decarboxylates pyruvate to produce significant amounts of acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde formation is stimulated by thiamin pyrophosphate, shows a sharp optimum at pH 6.8 and is greater under anaerobic than aerobic conditions. The pyruvate decarboxylase activity cofractionates with, and is probably a partial reaction of, the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Acetaldehyde production is modulated by NAD+, ATP and acetyl-CoA and is greatly stimulated by lipoic acid. The pyruvate decarboxylase system is extremely sensitive to thiol-group inhibitors and is inhibited by oxygen in the presence of pyruvate.