ABC TRANSPORTERS IN LEISHMANIA AND THEIR ROLE IN DRUG-RESISTANCE

ABC transporters have been found in several parasitic protozoa includi ng Leishmania. At least two Leishmania ABC transporters are involved i n drug resistance. One is PgpA, which is involved in resistance to ars enic and antimony-containing compounds. Antimonials are the drug of ch oice against Leishmania infections. Transfection and biochemical studi es suggest that PgpA recognizes metals conjugated to thiols. the secon d ABC transporter is closely related to mammalian P-glycoproteins and confers resistance to anticancer drugs by a mechanism that remains to be elucidated. Additional ABC transporters are likely to be present in Leishmania and these are discussed in relation to the phenomenon of a ntimony resistance.