Anhydrobiosis in nematodes: Control of carbon flow through the glyoxylate cycle

Abstract

Abstract During induction of anhydrobiosis the nematode Aphelenchus avenae synthesizes large quantities of trehalose and free glycerol the carbon for which apparently originates from lipid. In the present paper we show that these worms possess a functional glyoxylate cycle by which lipid is converted to carbohydrate. Furthermore, we suggest a mechanism for regulation of the pathway during induction of anhydrobiosis.