Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roberto Docampo, Anibal Eugenio Vercesi
Summary: This review discusses the mechanisms of mitochondrial oxidant generation and removal, and the involvement of Ca2+ in trypanosome cell death, highlighting the need for further studies on ROS generation, defense mechanisms, and mitochondrial permeability transition pore in trypanosomatids.
ANTIOXIDANTS & REDOX SIGNALING
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ravi R. Sonani, Katarzyna Kurpiewska, Krzysztof Lewinski, Grzegorz Dubin
Summary: The glycosomal malate dehydrogenase from Trypanosoma cruzi displays a distinct sequence and structural feature, providing an anchor point for the development of specific inhibitors and potential trypanocidal drugs in the future.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cecilia Ortiz, Francesca Moraca, Marc Laverriere, Allan Jordan, Niall Hamilton, Marcelo A. Comini
Summary: G6PDH plays a crucial role in cell physiology by catalyzing the synthesis of NADPH(+) and ribose 5-phosphate. The study discovered that 16 alpha-brominated epiandrosterone is the most potent inhibitor of G6PDH in trypanosomatids. Further investigations showed that bromination at position 16 alpha of androstane derivatives yielded more potent T. cruzi G6PDH inhibitors.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kyung-Hwa Baek, Trong-Nhat Phan, Satish R. Malwal, Hyeryon Lee, Zhu-Hong Li, Silvia N. J. Moreno, Eric Oldfield, Joo Hwan No
Summary: SQ109 is an anti-tubercular drug candidate that has shown potent activity against protozoan parasites including Leishmania, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Toxoplasma gondii in vitro. It has demonstrated efficacy in mouse models of T. cruzi and T. gondii infections, but moderate efficacy in models of Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania donovani infections. Metabolites of SQ109 also exhibit activity against protozoan parasites in vitro.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Aline A. Zuma, Emile dos Santos Barrias, Wanderley de Souza
Summary: This review discusses the basic biology of the pathogenic protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei, highlighting their developmental stages and unique structural characteristics, which can potentially serve as chemotherapeutic targets. Understanding these aspects contributes to drug development for chemotherapy.
CURRENT PHARMACEUTICAL DESIGN
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
George E. Magoulas, Pantelis Afroudakis, Kalliopi Georgikopoulou, Marina Roussaki, Chiara Borsari, Theano Fotopoulou, Nuno Santarem, Emile Barrias, Paloma Tejera Nevado, Julia Hachenberg, Eugenia Bifeld, Bernhard Ellinger, Maria Kuzikov, Irini Fragiadaki, Effie Scoulica, Joachim Clos, Sheraz Gul, Maria Paola Costi, Wanderley de Souza, Kyriakos C. Prousis, Anabela Cordeiro da Silva, Theodora Calogeropoulou
Summary: A library of novel ether phospholipid analogues was designed and synthesized, with compounds showing potent antiparasitic activity against different parasitic species. The structure-activity relationships of these compounds were studied, and a potential lead compound with broad spectrum antiparasitic activity was identified, laying a foundation for the development of improved derivatives to control neglected tropical diseases.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonio Moreno-Herrera, Sandra Cortez-Maya, Virgilio Bocanegra-Garcia, Bimal Krishna Banik, Gildardo Rivera
Summary: Parasitic infections caused by various protozoa affect millions of people worldwide annually, with limited pharmacological treatments. Developing new and more effective drugs could be crucial in improving therapy outcomes for parasitic diseases.
CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesco Caligiore, Erika Zangelmi, Carola Vetro, Takfarinas Kentache, Joseph P. Dewulf, Maria Veiga-da-Cunha, Emile Van Schaftingen, Guido Bommer, Alessio Peracchi
Summary: Transaminases can react with alternative substrates, although with low efficiency, and are ineffective at utilizing sugars and sugar derivatives, except for dihydroxyacetone phosphate.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Woo Jeng Kim, Yoohyun Chung, Jihyun Park, Jae-Young Park, Kyungdo Han, Yonggyu Park, In Yang Park, Hyun Sun Ko
Summary: This study found that elevated pregravid gamma-glutamyl transferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus, especially in women with obesity or MetS. However, significant risks were also present in women without obesity or MetS. These results suggest that elevated pregravid liver enzyme levels significantly increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes.
LIVER INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sumit Das, Puja Panja, Gaurab Chowdhury, Saroj Biswas, Yuthika Dholey, Subrata Adak
Summary: This study reports two members of the ChaC family of gamma-glutamyl cyclotransferases in Leishmania, showing their roles in GSH degradation and cell growth.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jianling Song, Xiaoyan Zou, Pandao Liu, Juan Andres Cardoso, Rainer Schultze-Kraft, Guodao Liu, Lijuan Luo, Zhijian Chen
Summary: The importance of malate dehydrogenase (MDH) in cellular metabolism, redox homeostasis, and response to nutrient and metal stresses in Stylosanthes guianensis (stylo) is demonstrated in this study.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Justin Y. Toh, Agathe Nkouawa, Saul Rojas Sanchez, Huafang Shi, Nikolay G. Kolev, Christian Tschudi
Summary: By targeting 86 transcripts through RNAi, 22 genes that positively or negatively regulate the progression towards infectivity in Trypanosoma brucei have been identified, including the previously unknown nucleic acid binding proteins CSD1 and CSD2. The study suggests a considerable overlap between the genes that regulate stumpy bloodstream form Trypanosoma and those that govern the development of metacyclic form parasites.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marilia L. Cirqueira, Leandro O. Bortot, Mayte Bolean, Mariana A. A. Aleixo, Pedro H. Luccas, Antonio J. Costa-Filho, Ana Paula Ramos, Pietro Ciancaglini, M. Cristina Nonato
Summary: Due to its severe burden and geographic distribution, Chagas disease has a significant social and economic impact on low-income countries. This study aims to understand the role of TcNTR in the basic parasite biology, investigate its potential as a drug target, and contribute to the fight against neglected tropical diseases. The results showed that TcNTR interacts with membranes, with a preference for those containing cardiolipin, and a 23-residue long insertion is involved in enzyme specificity and protein-membrane interaction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Nava Raj Poudyal, Kimberly S. Paul
Summary: This review discusses the availability and uptake mechanisms of fatty acids in Trypanosoma brucei. Fatty acids can be synthesized by the parasite or acquired from the host's surroundings. Fatty acids are crucial for the growth and survival of the parasite and are implicated in the survival of specific proteins. The relative contribution of parasite-derived and host-derived fatty acids to T. brucei biology and the molecular mechanisms of fatty acid uptake are still poorly understood.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Naiara Dutra Barroso Gomes, Emanuel Paula Magalhaes, Lyanna Rodrigues Ribeiro, John Washington Cavalcante, Marcelo Morais Gomes Maia, Felipe Ramon Cunha da Silva, Arif Ali, Marcia Machado Marinho, Emmanuel Silva Marinho, Helcio Silva dos Santos, Alice Maria Costa Martins, Ramon Roseo Paula Pessoa Bezerra de Menezes
Summary: This study evaluated the activity of synthetic p-aminochalcones against T. cruzi and found that they have a trypanocidal effect by causing membrane damage and oxidative stress. Their mechanism of action may be related to inhibition of cruzain and TR.
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Fred R. Opperdoes, Anzhelika Butenko, Pavel Flegontov, Vyacheslav Yurchenko, Julius Lukes
JOURNAL OF EUKARYOTIC MICROBIOLOGY
(2016)
Article
Virology
Melissa Drappier, Fred R. Opperdoes, Thomas Michiels
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2017)
Article
Cell Biology
Gaetan Herinckx, Nusrat Hussain, Fred R. Opperdoes, Kenneth B. Storey, Mark H. Rider, Didier Vertommen
PHYSIOLOGICAL GENOMICS
(2017)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anzhelika Butenko, Tamara da Silva Vieira, Alexander O. Frolov, Fred R. Opperdoes, Rodrigo P. Soares, Alexei Yu. Kostygov, Julius Lukes, Vyacheslav Yurchenko
Review
Parasitology
Dmitri A. Maslov, Fred R. Opperdoes, Alexei Y. Kostygov, Hassan Hashimi, Julius Lukes, Vyacheslav Yurchenko
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aygul Ishemgulova, Anzhelika Butenko, Lucie Kortisova, Carolina Boucinha, Anastasiia Grybchuk-Ieremenko, Karina A. Morelli, Martina Tesarova, Natalya Kraeva, Danyil Grybchuk, Tomas Panek, Pavel Flegontov, Julius Lukes, Jan Votypka, Marcio Galvao Pavan, Fred R. Opperdoes, Viktoria Spodareva, Claudia M. d'Avila-Levy, Alexei Yu. Kostygov, Vyacheslav Yurchenko
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pavel Flegontov, Anzhelika Butenko, Sergei Firsov, Natalya Kraeva, Marek Elias, Mark C. Field, Dmitry Filatov, Olga Flegontova, Evgeny S. Gerasimov, Jana Hlavacova, Aygul Ishemgulova, Andrew P. Jackson, Steve Kelly, Alexei Y. Kostygov, Maria D. Logacheva, Dmitri A. Maslov, Fred R. Opperdoes, Amanda O'Reilly, Jovana Sadlova, Tereza Sevcikova, Divya Venkatesh, Cestmir Vlcek, Petr Volf, Jan Votypka, Kristina Zahonova, Vyacheslav Yurchenko, Julius Lukes
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2016)
Article
Cell Biology
Michiel L. Bexkens, Verena Zimorski, Maarten J. Sarink, Hans Wienk, Jos F. Brouwers, Johan F. De Jonckheere, William F. Martin, Fred R. Opperdoes, Jaap J. van Hellemond, Aloysius G. M. Tielens
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Anzhelika Butenko, Alexei Y. Kostygov, Jovana Sadlova, Yuliya Kleschenko, Tomas Becvar, Lucie Podesvova, Diego H. Macedo, David Zihala, Julius Lukes, Paul A. Bates, Petr Volf, Fred R. Opperdoes, Vyacheslav Yurchenko
Article
Biology
Anzhelika Butenko, Fred R. Opperdoes, Olga Flegontova, Ales Horak, Vladimir Hampl, Patrick Keeling, Ryan M. R. Gawryluk, Denis Tikhonenkov, Pavel Flegontov, Julius Lukes
Article
Microbiology
Fred R. Opperdoes, Anzhelika Butenko, Alexandra Zakharova, Evgeny S. Gerasimov, Sara L. Zimmer, Julius Lukes, Vyacheslav Yurchenko
Summary: Vickermania ingenoplastis, a two-flagellar trypanosomatid, is insensitive to traditional respiratory inhibitors and thrives under anaerobic conditions. Its unique metabolic pathways involve the conversion of glucose to acetate and succinate through aerobic fermentation, as well as the conversion of pyruvate to acetate and ethanol under anaerobic conditions. The genome structure of V. ingenoplastis resembles that of Phytomonas spp., suggesting a potential relatedness or convergent evolution, although V. ingenoplastis has significantly increased its genome size through gene duplications while Phytomonas spp. has streamlined its genome.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Amanda T. S. Albanaz, Evgeny S. Gerasimov, Jeffrey J. Shaw, Jovana Sadlova, Julius Lukes, Petr Volf, Fred R. Opperdoes, Alexei Y. Kostygov, Anzhelika Butenko, Vyacheslav Yurchenko
Summary: The sequencing and analysis of genomes from Endotrypanum and Porcisia species sheds light on the evolutionary history of Leishmania, revealing small differences in metabolic capacities but a reduced repertoire of surface proteins compared to amastigote-dwelling Leishmania. The number of genes under positive selection in the Endotrypanum/Porcisia branch is small, with an over-representation of flagellum-related genes.
Article
Microbiology
Alexandra Zakharova, Andreu Saura, Anzhelika Butenko, Lucie Podesvova, Sandra Warmusova, Alexei Yu. Kostygov, Anna Nenarokova, Julius Lukes, Fred R. Opperdoes, Vyacheslav Yurchenko
Summary: The study reveals a novel single-celled organism closely related to the human pathogen Leishmania which harbors a bacterial endosymbiont, showing a complex metabolic cooperation between the two partners. Removal of the endosymbiont results in decreased growth, suppression of metabolic pathways, and increased oxidative stress in the single-celled organism.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Alexandra Zakharova, Amanda T. S. Albanaz, Fred R. Opperdoes, Ingrid Skodova-Sverakova, Diana Zagirova, Andreu Saura, Lubomira Chmelova, Evgeny S. Gerasimov, Tereza Lestinova, Tomas Becvar, Jovana Sadlova, Petr Volf, Julius Lukes, Anton Horvath, Anzhelika Butenko, Vyacheslav Yurchenko
Summary: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic vector-borne disease caused by Leishmania, and L. guyanensis strains carrying the Leishmania RNA virus 1 (LRV1) cause a more severe form of the disease in a mouse model. This study reports the genome assembly of LRV1-positive L. guyanensis M4147 and shows that the ablation of the gene encoding phosphatidate phosphatase 2-like (PAP2L) protein leads to an increase in cell number, accumulation of phosphatidic acid, and increased virulence.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kristina Zahonova, Matus Valach, Pragya Tripathi, Corinna Benz, Fred R. Opperdoes, Peter Barath, Veronika Lukacova, Maksym Danchenko, Drahomira Faktorova, Anton Horvath, Gertraud Burger, Julius Lukes, Ingrid Skodova-Sverakova
Summary: In eukaryotes, pyruvate produced by glycolysis is converted to acetyl-coenzyme A by the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Two other enzyme complexes, the branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase and the 2-oxo-glutarate dehydrogenase, catalyze similar reactions. Comparative transcriptome analyses of diplonemids show that they lack the conventional subunits of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Instead, they have an AceE protein, which we also found in dinoflagellates. This study demonstrates that the mitochondrion of the diplonemid Paradiplonema papillatum has pyruvate and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase activities, suggesting that AceE is a functional component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in diplonemids.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENERAL SUBJECTS
(2023)