title: Inhibition of leishmanias but not host macrophages by the antitubulin herbicide trifluralin.
abstract: The dinitroaniline herbicide trifluralin (alpha, alpha, alpha-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N, N-dipropyl-p-toluidine), at micromolar concentrations, selectively inhibited both proliferation and differentiation of the parasitic protozoan Leishmania mexicana amazonensis. In vitro, radioactive trifluralin showed specific binding to leishmania tubulin but not to mammalian tubulin. Because herbicides such as trifluralin are economical and are considered safe for man and domesticated animals, they may serve as useful sources of potential antiparasitic agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Piscataway 08855.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D007894:Leishmania mexicana / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011485:Protein Binding; D051381:Rats; D013045:Species Specificity; D014052:Toluidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014274:Trifluralin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism; D050257:Tubulin Modulators; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D014052:Toluidines; D014404:Tubulin; D050257:Tubulin Modulators; D014274:Trifluralin