| Abstract: | Amastigotes of different strains of Trypanosoma cruzi responded to stimulation with concanavalin A in an axenic medium by increased DNA synthesis and cell multiplication. These effects were inhibited by alpha-methyl mannoside. Other mitogens, i.e. phytohemagglutinin P, castor bean ricin Type II isolated from Ricinus communis, and a bacterial lipopolysaccharide, had no effect on amastigote growth. Amastigote stimulation by concanavalin A lends itself to studies on the biochemistry and cell cycle of this human pathogen. |
