Altered Carbohydrate Levels and Gluconeogenic Enzyme Activity in Trichoplusia ni Parasitized by the Insect Parasite, Hyposoter exiguae

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Abstract
The association of the insect parasite, H. exiguae, with its host, T. ni, was characterized by increased host hemolymph sugar and fat body glycogen levels. Elevation of these carbohydrate reserves was accompanied by an increase in the maximal activity of fructoses 1,6-bisphosphate in the fat body. Apparently, an increase in gluconeogenic flux through the fructose 6-phosphate-fructose 1,6-bisphosphate substrate cycle may occur in parasitized insects. Moreover, the maximum rate of cycling may be increased in parasitized tissue as suggested by alteration in the maximal activity of phosphofructokinase. The above effect on fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase could not be explained on the basis of alterations in adenylate nucleotide levels and positive substrate crossover was not observed. The normal metabolic regulation of carbohydrate synthesis may be upset in parasitized individuals.