Comparison of mitochondrial enzymes between young and adult forms of Trypanosoma lewisi.

SYNOPSIS. The changes in young, 6-day-old to adult (13-day-old) forms of T. lewisi during the course of infection in rats are attended by some changes in mitochondrial enzyme activities. The most significant differences between the 2 forms are in the content of isocitric dehydrogenases (2 distinct enzymes are present), and in the ability to carry out oxidative phosphorylation. In the mitochondria of adults there is a significant decrease in the ability to form ATP.