Properties and functions of cestode calcareous corpuscles

Abstract

    All cestodes contain mineral concretions termed calcareous corpuscles and these concretions are likely to be involved in the parasite survival in host environment. Nevertheless, the precise function of calcareous corpuscles is still unclear and has not been studied from the view of biochemistry and molecular biology. This review intends to summarize the published literatures about the properties, formation and function of calcareous corpuscles and to discuss how the biochemical and molecular biological approaches on calcareous corpuscles will be concerned in the host-parasite relationship.