ISSN:
1573-4919
Keywords:
Leishmania donovani
;
promastigote
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Promastigotes of Leishmania donovani (Dd-8 strain) showed presence of important key enzymes of heme synthesizing (d-aminolevulinic acid synthase and ferrochelatase) and degrading (heme oxygenase and biliverdin reductase) systems, classical leishmanicidal drugs viz allopurinol, amphotericin B, pentamidine and CDRI compound 93/202 inhibited the heme oxygenase activity of the parasite, whereas, δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase activity practically remained unaffected. The Km, Vmax ad pH values of heme oxygenase of promastigotes were found to be 1666 μM hemin, 625 nmol of bilirubin formed h-1 mg protein-1 and 7.5 respectively. The findings suggest the presence and importance of heme metabolism in the de novo synthesis of different hemoproteins of the Leishmania parasite as well as the detoxification and its defence against biological insults.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1006830113376
Permalink