Mechanism of interaction of sitamaquine with Leishmania donovani

Abstract

We propose that sitamaquine rapidly accumulates in Leishmania by diffusion along an electrical gradient and is concentrated in the cytosol by an energy- and sterol-independent process. The affinity of sitamaquine for membranes was transitory and an energy-dependent efflux was demonstrated, suggesting the presence of an as yet uncharacterized transporter.