Regulation of the intracellular pH in the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei brucei.

The mechanisms regulating the intracellular pH (pHi) in both forms of Trypanosoma brucei brucei (cultured cells) were investigated using the fluorescent probe 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). The pHi values measured were 7.22+/-0.

Kinetic study of the plasma-membrane potential in procyclic and bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei brucei using the fluorescent probe bisoxonol.

The characteristics of the plasma-membrane potential of procyclic and bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei brucei (cultured cells) were investigated using the fluorescent anionic probe bisoxonol. Observation of a stable and representative plasma-membrane potential in the resting state required careful washing, centrifugation and maintenance of the cells at room temperature before measurement. Bloodstream forms were more prone to depolarization during washing at 4 degrees C than procyclic cells.