Bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei require only small amounts of iron for growth.
Bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei require transferrin (Tf) for growth. Uptake of Tf is mediated by a heterodimeric, glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored receptor. Competition studies of the uptake of iron-loaded Tf (holo-Tf) versus iron-free Tf (apo-Tf) showed that bloodstream-form trypanosomes required only small amounts of iron for growth. The competition experiments were possible as the trypanosome Tf receptor shows a similarly high affinity for both holo-Tf and apo-Tf. Calculations revealed that accumulation of about 40,000 iron atoms during 1 generation-doubling time was sufficient for parasite multiplication.
Steverding
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Hygiene-Institut der Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, Abteilung Parasitologie, Heidelberg, Germany. n89@ix.urz.uri-heidelberg.de
D000818:Animals; D001059:Apoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D003470:Culture Media; D007501:Iron / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism; D014168:Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism*; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism
D001059:Apoproteins; D003470:Culture Media; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; D014168:Transferrin; C028284:apotransferrin; C110714:holotransferrin; D007501:Iron