| Abstract: | Leishmania tropica promastigotes do not utilize glucose provided in the medium until late log phase. Rapid depletion of glucose from the medium, however, occurs during late log and stationary phases. At about the same time, the cells show maximal rates of glucose uptake as well as peak levels of phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase activities. The glucose analog, 2-deoxy-D-glucose inhibits glucose transport. Incorporation of this analog in the growth medium results in inhibition of growth. The hexokinase of L. tropica phosphorylates 2-deoxy-D-glucose. Pyruvate kinase is activated by fructose-1, 6-diphosphate and adenosine monophosphate. |
