FIG 2.
Permeabilization of the plasma membrane of L. infantum promastigotes by sertraline. (A) SYTOX Green fluorescence entrance into L. infantum promastigotes induced by sertraline. Parasites were treated under standard assay conditions with the specified sertraline concentrations for 1 h (black columns) or 4 h (gray columns). Afterward, SYTOX Green (1 μM, final concentration) was added, and fluorescence was assessed (λEXC = 485 nm; λEM = 520 nm). Fully permeabilized parasites (100% fluorescence) were obtained by the addition of 0.1% Triton X-100. (B) Depolarization of the plasma membrane of L. infantum promastigotes. Promastigotes were assayed under standard conditions in the presence of bisoxonol (0.2 μM). Sertraline at the specified concentration was added (t = 0), and changes in fluorescence (λEXC = 544 nm; λEM = 584 nm) were recorded. Fully depolarized parasites were obtained by treatment with 10 μM indolicidin. Concentrations: 0 μM SRT (open triangles), 10 μM SRT (solid triangles), 20 μM SRT (open circles), 50 μM SRT (solid circles), 10 μM indolicidin (solid squares). The results shown are representative of two experiments carried out independently (*, P < 0.05).