MEMBRANE CHARACTERIZATION OF AMASTIGOTE-LIKE FORMS OF LEISHMANIA-DONOVANI

During in vitro transformation, Leishmania donovani promastigotes conv erted into amastigote-like forms and underwent several changes in memb rane parameters. They exhibited significantly increased microviscosity comparable to true amastigotes. Activities of several functionally im portant membrane bound enzymes were also altered, thereby indicating a change in their orientation. Peanut agglutinin was found to be specif ic for agglutination of stationary phase promastigotes whereas wheat-g erm agglutinin was specific for the amastigote-like forms as well as f or pure amastigotes, implying the presence of specific glycoconjugates on the parasite surface.