Figure 5.

LIT1 expression promotes iron uptake. (A) Δlit1 promastigotes were transfected with vector alone or with pXG-LIT1, lysed, and analyzed by SDS-PAGE, followed by Western blot with anti-LIT1 antibodies. The arrow points to the ∼50-kD band detected only in parasites overexpressing LIT1. The bands detected on parasites transfected with vector alone correspond to unspecific background reactivity. (B) Δlit1 promastigotes transfected with pXG-LIT1 were cultured at 32°C (pH 5.5) to induce differentiation into axenic amastigotes, washed, and assayed for ⁵⁵Fe²⁺ uptake as described in Materials and methods. Closed squares and diamonds indicate incubation at 35°C; open squares and diamonds indicate incubation at 4°C.