Molecular cloning, expression and characterization of ribokinase of Leishmania major.

Ribokinase (EC 2.1.7.

Pentose phosphate metabolism in Leishmania mexicana.

The metabolism of pentose phosphates was studied in Leishmania mexicana promastigotes. Each of the enzymes of the classical pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) has been identified and specific activities measured. Functioning of the PPP was demonstrated in non-growing cells by measuring the evolution of 14CO2 from [1-14C]D-glucose and [6-14C]D-glucose under normal conditions and also under selective stimulation of the PPP by exposure to methylene blue.

Chemotherapy of human African trypanosomiasis.

Human African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness is resurgent [1,2]. The disease is caused by subspecies of the parasitic haemoflagellate, Trypanosoma brucei. Infection starts with the bite of an infected tsetse fly (Glossina spp.

In vitro effect of diamidines on intracellular polyamines of Acanthamoeba polyphaga.

Treatment with the drugs berenil, dibromopropamidine, pentamidine and CGP-4O-215 were found to alter levels of intracellular polyamines of Acanthamoeba polyphagia trophozoites in organisms. While the polyamine, spermidine, consistently remained higher in the control organisms incubated at 8, 16 and 32 h respectively, the level fluctuated significantly from below 5% to 40% in drug-treated organisms. A novel polyamine (polyamine F), yet to be identified, representing 80% of the total polyamine extracts and seen in control organisms after 48 h of incubation (stationary phase), was seen much earlier in the drug treated organisms.