Phospholipid remodeling/generation in Giardia: the hole of the Lands cycle

Recent results suggest that Giardia is able to carry out deacylation/reacyl ation reactions (the Lands cycle] to generate new phospholipids, effectivel y bypassing the de novo synthesis of the entire phospholipid molecule. The successful operation of this deacylation/reacylation cycle is important for Giardia because this protozoan parasite possesses limited lipid synthesis ability. This article discusses how Giardia might use the Lands cycle to af ter phospholipids acquired from the host during its colonization in the hum an small intestine.