LEISHMANIAL GLYCOSOMES CONTAIN SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE

In this work we report that superoxide dismutase is entrapped in a mic robody-like organelle, the glycosome, present in Leishmania spp. Studi es on the sensitivity of the enzyme to various inhibitors indicated th at glycosomal superoxide dismutase is predominantly of the Cu/Zu type. Localization of superoxide dismutase in glycosomes points to the majo r importance of this organelle in the survival of this pathogen, sugge sting a new approach towards chemotherapy for leishmaniasis.