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. 1996 Apr 15;315(Pt 2):631–634. doi: 10.1042/bj3150631

Pentamidine uptake in Leishmania donovani and Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes and axenic amastigotes.

M Basselin 1, F Lawrence 1, M Robert-Gero 1
PMCID: PMC1217243  PMID: 8615840

Abstract

A transport system for pentamidine in Leishmania donovani and Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes and axenic amastigotes has been identified and characterized. Pentamidine is not metabolized by these parasites. Its uptake process is saturable, carrier-mediated and energy-dependent. This drug does not inhibit purine or pyrimidine uptake, whereas it inhibits uptake of several amino acids non-competitively and that of putrescine and spermidine competitively. The results suggest that pentamidine shares polyamine-carrier systems in these parasites.

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Selected References

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