EFFECTS OF TRYPANOCIDAL DRUGS ON THE ELECTRON TRANSPORT SYSTEM OF CRITHIDIA FASCICULATA.
Abstract
Crithidia fasciculata contains an electron transport system localized in the mitochondria. Cytochromes b and c555, possibly cytochrome c1, cytochrome a + a3, a carbon monoxide binding pigment and a flavoprotein can be detected in the cells and the mitochondria. Functional mitochondria can be isolated by differential centrifugation from cell-free preparations. These organelles contain the respiratory system of the cells. The trypanocidal drug acriflavine depresses the growth rate, the cell yield and the respiratory activity of the cells. There is a differential inhibition of the synthesis of the respiratory pigments in which cytochrome oxidase is inhibited to 3-fold greater extent than cytochromes b and c. The turnover number of cytochrome oxidase in cells grown in acriflavine is less per mole than in the control cells. These biochemical anomalies in mitochondrial function are reflected at the ultra-structural level. Cells become diskinetoplastic when grown in the presence of acriflavine. The incorporation of 3H-thymidine into the DNA of the kinetoplast is markedly inhibited at acriflavine concentrations at which the incorporation into nuclear DNA is not effected. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 18, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0681274
Entities
People
- David. C. White
- George C. Hill
Organizations
- University of Kentucky