Comparative kinetics of arginine and lysine transport by epimastigotes and trypomastigotes from two strains of Trypanosoma cruzi.

Three-day-old cultures of Y and MR strains of Trypanosoma cruzi ahd a higher rate of lysine and arginine uptake than 10-day cultures. Amino acid uptake by cells of the MR strain was consistently higher than that of the Y strain. Flagellates separated on DEAE-cellulose columns have normal structure, motility, and infectivity; they have the higher rates of lysine and arginine uptake than the original 3- and 10-day cultures. In addition passage through DEAE-cellulose columns modified the kinetic behavior of amino acid transport systems in the flagellate membranes.