Abstract
DL-alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) inhibited ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and arrested the growth of Plasmodium falciparum at the early trophozoite stage. The inhibition of ODC activity did not result in the formation of an alternative diamine such as cadaverine. When putrescine or spermidine were added to the parasites grown in culture, the arrest was reversed, and normal schizogony was completed even in the presence of DFMO. Some reversal of the inhibition was achieved with cadaverine at high concentrations, while 1,3-diaminopropane and spermine failed to restore the development. Resumption of growth could be detected when putrescine was added even after 67 h of DFMO treatment. Electron microscopy did not reveal any changes in the morphology of parasites treated for 47 h, while 73 h of treatment with DFMO induced massive accumulation of pigment. Death was observed a few hours later. These results suggest that DFMO acts as a cytostatic rather than as a cytocidal agent. The four carbon diamine restored cell growth while the shorter or the longer homologous compounds showed little activity.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
