CARBOHYDRATE TRANSPORT IN TRYPANOSOMA-GAMBIENSE

SYNOPSIS. The uptake of 14C‐labeled carbohydrates by Trypanosoma gambiense was studied. Glucose, mannose, glycerol, 2‐deoxyglucose and fructose were rapidly absorbed by the parasite, and all had saturation kinetics. The glucose analog 3‐O‐methylglucose was not taken up by T. gambiense. Competitive inhibition experiments indicate that there are 2 transport loci for the tested substrates. It is suggested that there is a “glucose site” thru which glucose, mannose and glycerol, but not fructose, are transported and a “fructose site” thru which only fructose is transported. The specificity of the glucose‐transporting mechanism appears to differ from those of other animals. Copyright © 1969, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved