Cytochromes,Lactic Dehydrogenase and Transformation in Leishmania*

SYNOPSIS. A major difference in heme content was found between leishmanias and leptomonads of Leishmania donovani. When tested with a fluorescence method for heme, leishmanias gave a negative response whereas leptomonads fluoresced brightly. Studies on the terminal respiration of L. tarentolae leptomonads by absorption spectra assay and respiratory inhibitors indicated the presence of cytochromes. Lactic dehydrogenase could not be detected in the leptomonad stage nor could it be found in any other hemoflagellate culture form tested.