Drug effects on the fine structure of Trypanosoma rhodesiense: Puromycin and its aminonucleoside, Cordycepin and Nucleocidin

Abstract
The effects of four trypanocidal adenine nucleosides on the fine structure of a monomorphic strain of Trypanosoma rhodesiense have been examined. All four drugs, Puromycin and its aminonucleoside, Cordycepin and Nucleocidin, induced electron-lucent cytoplasmic clefts in the cytoplasm, which were generally acicular or spindle-shaped, with long axes lying in any direction. The clefts had an intimate relationship with the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The drugs also produced excessive lysosomal vacuolation, and two, Cordycepin and Nucleocidin, caused nucleolar fragmentation and probable segregation, indicative of interference with RNA synthesis. The significance of the lesions is discussed in relation to known properties of adenine nucleoside drugs.