Growth in vitro and Metabolism of Plasmodium vinckei chabaudi*
G. H. COOMBS
Biological Laboratory, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NJ, England
Dr. Coombs: Department of Zoology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Scotland.
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W. E. GUTTERIDGE
Biological Laboratory, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NJ, England
Correspondence to Dr. Gutteridge.Search for more papers by this authorG. H. COOMBS
Biological Laboratory, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NJ, England
Dr. Coombs: Department of Zoology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Scotland.
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
W. E. GUTTERIDGE
Biological Laboratory, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NJ, England
Correspondence to Dr. Gutteridge.Search for more papers by this authorThe research reported in this paper was supported in part by the U.S.A.M.R.D.C., Washington, U.S.A.
Abstract
SYNOPSIS. An in vitro system, based on the rocker dilution technic, has been developed that supports intraerythrocytic growth of a rat-adapted strain of Plasmodium vinckei chabaudi from ring to schizont stages; some reinvasion was obtained, although invariably, this was associated with a decrease in parasite numbers. Pertinent features were the very high buffer content of the medium and the low oxygen tension of the gaseous phase. Lactate production, glucose utilization, and 3H-leucine and 3H-adenosine incorporations were investigated for their suitability to monitor parasite growth. Throughout an 18-hr incubation there was a continuous and increasing production of lactate and utilization of glucose, which correlated well with the development of the parasites from ring to schizont stages. During the same period, there was a low but continuous and increasing incorporation of 3H-leucine into parasite protein. However, 3H-adenosine was incorporated only for the 1st hr of incubation, after which time no net incorporation occurred. Parasites grew normally from ring to schizont stages even in the absence of adenosine from the dilution medium.
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