More characterization such as the demonstration that ASS is essential for survival as an amastigote and the description of subsequent steps in its metabolic pathway since the parasite does not have the enzymes to convert argininosuccinate to arginine will be needed; however the increased expression in the amastigote stage, the important biochemical pathway, the existence of specific inhibitors, and the divergence in subcellular localization between the mammalian enzyme and the Leishmania enzyme indicate a potential for ASS as a target of therapeutic drugs to treat leishmaniasis. Here, ASS1 is linked to leishmaniasis.