Rapid In Vitro Prescreen for Chelators as Potential Trypanocides Based on Growth of Crithidia fasciculata1

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Abstract
A rapid in vitro prescreen for Fe‐binding chelators has been developed with growth of Crithidia fasciculata and the sparing of its heme requirement in a defined medium as a test system. The prescreen functions as an index of chelator‐mediated Fe transport and as an index of growth inhibition, presumably by the interference with Fe and/or heme metabolism at intracellular chelatable sites. Of 161 chelators examined, 84 were active heme‐sparers; 32 of these inhibited growth at low chelator concentrations. Twenty‐eight other chelators inhibited growth and another 49 were inactive. Such chelating activity directed at Fe and heme targets in hemoflagellates may provide leads for chemotherapy.