Effects of Trypanocidal Drugs on the Function of Trypanosomes.
Abstract
During the past twelve months, we have continued our research efforts on the biochemistry of African trypanosomes. We have characterized the in vitro system for growing cultured-infective trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma rhodesiense, T. gambiense, and T. brucei. We have measured a decrease in the glucose levels in these cultures as the organisms increase in cell numbers and have completed a study on the electron transport system present, demonstrating that the alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase is the only terminal oxidase functioning in cultured-infective trypomastigotes. In examining the capability of African trypanosomes to undergo mitochondrial and cytoplasmic protein synthesis, we have regorously characterized both systems and identified important biochemical differences between the protein synthesis system in eukaryotic cells and in African trypanosomes. Progress has been made in purifying the alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase from T. brucei bloodstream trypomastigotes. Our efforts during the next year will concentrate on a characterization and improvement of the in vitro culturing system for T. rhodesiense bloodstream trypomastigotes and the application of this system to the detection of trypanocidal activity in various compounds.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA131073
Entities
People
- George C. Hill
Organizations
- Colorado State University