CHARACTERISTICS OF RB-86+ TRANSPORT IN HUMAN ERYTHROCYTES INFECTED WITH PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM

Human red cells infected in vitro with Plasmodium falciparum showed a significant increase in the rate of both ouabain-sensitive and ouabain-insensitive Rb-86+ influx. The increase in ouabain-insensitive Rb-86+ influx was due, in part, to increased transport via a bumetanide-sensitive system and, in part to transport via a pathway that was absent (or at least inactive) in uninfected cells. The parasite-induced pathway was inhibited by piperine and had a dose response very similar to that of the Gardos channel of uninfected cells but was less sensitive than the Gardos channel to inhibition by quinine.