Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sara Teixeira de Macedo-Silva, Gonzalo Visbal, Gabrielle Frizzo Souza, Mayara Roncaglia dos Santos, Simon B. Cammerer, Wanderley de Souza, Juliany Cola Fernandes Rodrigues
Summary: This study found that benzylamines have anti-parasitic activity against Leishmania amazonensis and affect the structure of the cell membrane and mitochondria by blocking the sterol synthesis pathway. These results suggest that benzylamines may be promising pharmaceutical leads for the treatment of leishmaniasis.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
P. T. V. Florentino, F. N. L. Vitorino, D. Mendes, J. P. C. da Cunha, C. F. M. Menck
Summary: By using quantitative proteomic analysis, this study revealed the impact of Trypanosoma cruzi infection on the chromatin of host cells. It was discovered that parasites interfere with DNA metabolism during both early and late infection stages. Proteins related to DNA damage repair, oxidative phosphorylation, and vesicle-mediated transport showed increased abundance in the host chromatin. Additionally, the translocation of Apoptosis-inducing Factor to the host cell nucleus after infection suggests that the parasites can induce a programmed cell death known as Parthanatos. These findings contribute to a better understanding of how parasites manipulate the chromatin of host cells to disseminate infection and provide potential targets for future treatments.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOMICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Trong-Nhat Phan, Kyuho Paul Park, Diego Benitez, Marcelo A. Comini, David Shum, Joo Hwan No
Summary: Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease caused by the protozoa Leishmania, with high infection and death rates in developing countries. New drugs with improved pharmacological properties are urgently needed. Trypanothione synthetase (TryS) is a promising target for drug development against leishmaniasis.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Elisabetta Di Bello, Beatrice Noce, Rossella Fioravanti, Clemens Zwergel, Sergio Valente, Dante Rotili, Giulia Fianco, Daniela Trisciuoglio, Marina M. Mourao, Policarpo Sales, Suzanne Lamotte, Eric Prina, Gerald F. Spath, Cecile Haberli, Jennifer Keiser, Antonello Mai
Summary: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Current antiparasitic drugs have limitations and the use of epigenetic drugs has been suggested as a strategy for NTD treatment. In this study, potential drugs were identified for further development and optimization.
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
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.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuting Feng, Yan Zhang, Jie Li, Raha Parvizi Omran, Malcolm Whiteway, Jinrong Feng
Summary: The global transcriptional changes in response to the DNA damage agent MMS in Candida albicans have been explored, with the identification of several genes that are significantly affected. These findings provide insights into the potential roles of genes in DNA repair and antioxidation responses. The study also reveals limited similarity between the transcriptional profile in C. albicans and that in S. cerevisiae in response to MMS.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Barbora Vomackova Kykalova, Fabiana Sassu, Petr Volf, Erich Loza Telleria
Summary: This study focused on the association between antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and a transcription factor in sand flies and their role in Leishmania infection. The silencing of certain AMP genes increased parasite levels and sand fly mortality. Knocking down the transcription factor also reduced the expression of certain AMPs.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
C. A. C. Araujo, J. P. F. Pacheco, P. J. Waniek, R. B. Geraldo, A. Sibajev, A. L. Dos Santos, V. G. O. Evangelho, P. J. Dyson, P. Azambuja, N. A. Ratcliffe, H. C. Castro, C. B. Mello
Summary: The research describes a rhamnose-binding lectin (RBL) from Rhodnius prolixus, highlighting its potential importance in the immune response and gut microbiota homeostasis of the insect vector. Silencing of RpLec gene led to increased bacterial populations in the midgut of R. prolixus, indicating a role in regulating gut bacteria and immune defenses.
DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Isabell Berneburg, Stefan Rahlfs, Katja Becker, Karin Fritz-Wolf
Summary: In this study, the crystal structure of Leishmania donovani G6PD (LdG6PD) was determined, revealing differences in the N-terminal domain compared to related Trypanosoma G6PDs. Functional investigations showed that the N-domain of LdG6PD is involved in the formation of a tetramer, which is unique to Leishmania species. Furthermore, the binding mode of LdG6PD was analyzed, demonstrating an ordered mechanism confirmed by domain shift and rotation. These findings contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of G6PDs and provide insights for drug discovery.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Physics, Applied
Hongjia Song, Yingdong Liu, Jiaqi Yan, Xiangli Zhong, Jinbin Wang, Hongxia Guo
Summary: The performance degradation of a TiO2-film-based RRAM was investigated under proton irradiation. The results showed that the resistance of the high-resistance state (HRS) decreased with increasing proton fluence, while the resistance of the low-resistance state (LRS) remained constant. The decrease in HRS resistance and SET voltage was attributed to radiation-induced oxygen vacancies and non-lattice oxygen. A mathematical model based on the Voltage Threshold Adaptive Memristor model was constructed to describe the variation in RRAM resistance and voltage with proton irradiation, which agreed well with the experimental results.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Luciana Grus Silva, Kaio S. Gomes, Thais A. Costa-Silva, Maiara M. Romanelli, Andre G. Tempone, Patricia Sartorelli, Joao Henrique G. Lago
Summary: The MeOH extract from Calophyllum brasiliense stems exhibited activity against Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania infantum, leading to the isolation of two coumarins calanolides E1 and E2. Compound E2 demonstrated the best selectivity index among the two compounds, suggesting their potential as scaffolds for novel drug candidates for leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.
NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Amanda C. O. Silva, Maiara Bonfim, Jonathan L. M. Fontes, Washington L. C. dos-Santos, Jose Mengel, Fabiola Cardillo
Summary: Administration of alpha-tocopherol before T. cruzi infection can reduce parasitemia and mortality rate in mice, enhance IFN-gamma production by T and NK cells, increase IL-10 production by T and myeloid suppressor cells, and promote the formation of effector memory T cells while decreasing PD-1 expression on T cells.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Aline Araujo Zuma, Sara Teixeira de Macedo-Silva, Anushree Achari, Jayaraman Vinayagam, Pinaki Bhattacharjee, Sourav Chatterjee, Vivek Kumar Gupta, Amanda Cristina de Sousa Leite, Lucas Souza de Castro, Parasuraman Jaisankar, Wanderley de Souza
Summary: Chagas disease and leishmaniasis are neglected diseases caused by parasites, and current treatments are not entirely effective due to toxicity and side effects. Research has found that certain furan compounds can inhibit the proliferation and ultrastructure of the parasites, making them potential candidates for further chemotherapy research.
EXPERIMENTAL PARASITOLOGY
(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
Parasitology
Bernadete Dantas Queiroga Tamyres, Cardoso Pereira Gomez Luanderson, Eduardo Rodrigues de Sena, Wilo Victor dos Santos, Rafael Pontes Ferreira Henrique, Vicente Toscano de Araujo-Neto, Andressa Noronha Barbosa-Silva, Carlos Ramon do Nascimento Brito, Romeika Karla dos Reis Lima, Joao Ciro Fagundes-Neto, Lucia Maria da Cunha Galvao, Henrique Rocha de Medeiros, Antonia Claudia Jacome da Camara, Manuela Sales Lima Nascimento, Renata Antonaci Gama, Paulo Marcos Matta Guedes
Summary: The study evaluated the insecticidal effect of fluralaner on Triatoma brasiliensis after feeding on treated dogs, showing 100% mortality within 7 months post-treatment, declining to 0% after 12 months. This indicates a potential long-term approach to control vector transmission of Chagas disease, especially in endemic areas.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Antonio Augusto V. Cruz, Eliza V. C. Alves-Ferreira, Gherusa Milbratz-More, Fernando Chahud, Patricia C. Ruy, Maria Irma Seixas Duarte, Angela Kaysel Cruz
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2017)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rohit Sharma, Monica Cristina Terrao, Felipe Freitas Castro, Reinhard Breitling, Vitor Faca, Eduardo Brandt Oliveira, Angela Kaysel Cruz
Article
Genetics & Heredity
J. P. Vieira-da-Rocha, D. G. Passos-Silva, I. C. Mendes, E. A. Rocha, D. A. Gomes, C. R. Machado, R. McCulloch
Article
Infectious Diseases
Danielle Gomes Passos Silva, Selma da Silva Santos, Sheila C. Nardelli, Isabela Cecilia Mendes, Anna Claudia Guimaraes Freire, Bruno Marcal Repoles, Bruno Carvalho Resende, Hellida Marina Costa-Silva, Veronica Santana da Silva, Karla Andrade de Oliveira, Camila Franco Batista Oliveira, Liza Figueiredo Felicori Vilela, Ronaldo Alves Pinto Nagem, Gloria Regina Franco, Andrea Mara Macedo, Sergio Danilo Junho Pena, Erich Birelli Tahara, Policarpo Ademar Sales Junior, Douglas Souza Moreira, Santuza Maria Ribeiro Teixeira, Richard McCulloch, Stela Virgilio, Luiz Ricardo Orsini Tosi, Sergio Schenkman, Luciana Oliveira Andrade, Silvane Maria Fonseca Murta, Carlos Renato Machado
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Patricia De Cassia Ruy, Natalia Melquie Monteiro-Teles, Rubens Daniel Miserani Magalhaes, Felipe Freitas-Castro, Leandro Dias, Tania Paula Aquino Defina, Elton Jose Rosas De Vasconcelos, Peter J. Myler, Angela Kaysel Cruz
Article
Parasitology
Caroline R. Espada, Rubens M. Magalhaes, Mario C. Cruz, Paulo R. Machado, Albert Schriefer, Edgar M. Carvalho, Valentin Hornillos, Joao M. Alves, Angela K. Cruz, Adriano C. Coelho, Silvia R. B. Uliana
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Renan V. H. de Carvalho, Djalma S. Lima-Junior, Marcus Vinicius G. da Silva, Marisa Dilucca, Tamara S. Rodrigues, Catarina V. Horta, Alexandre L. N. Silva, Patrick F. da Silva, Fabiani G. Frantz, Lucas B. Lorenzon, Marcos Michel Souza, Fausto Almeida, Lilian M. Cantanhede, Ricardo de Godoi M. Ferreira, Angela K. Cruz, Dario S. Zamboni
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2019)
Review
Microbiology
Angela Kaysel Cruz, Felipe Freitas-Castro
CURRENT OPINION IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Parasitology
Eliza Vanessa Carneiro Alves-Ferreira, Tiago Rodrigues Ferreira, Pegine Walrad, Paul M. Kaye, Angela Kaysel Cruz
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tiago R. Ferreira, Adam A. Dowle, Ewan Parry, Eliza V. C. Alves-Ferreira, Karen Hogg, Foteini Kolokousi, Tony R. Larson, Michael J. Plevin, Angela K. Cruz, Pegine B. Walrad
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Parasitology
Tamires Marco Antonio Salgado Martins, Eduardo de Figueiredo Peloso, Hellida Marina Costa-Silva, Matheus Andrade Rajao, Bennet Van Houten, Carlos Renato Machado, Fernanda Ramos Gadelha
EXPERIMENTAL PARASITOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Cell Biology
Hellida Marina Costa-Silva, Bruno Carvalho Resende, Adriana Castilhos Souza Umaki, Willian Prado, Marcelo Santos da Silva, Stela Virgilio, Andrea Mara Macedo, Sergio Danilo Junho Pena, Erich Birelli Tahara, Luiz Ricardo Orsini Tosi, Maria Carolina Elias, Luciana Oliveira Andrade, Joao Luis Reis-Cunha, Gloria Regina Franco, Stenio Perdigao Fragoso, Carlos Renato Machado
Summary: DNA topoisomerases, in particular topoisomerase 3 alpha, play crucial roles in genomic maintenance, cell growth, and DNA damage response in Trypanosoma cruzi. Knockout of topoisomerase 3 alpha affects parasite growth, invasion rates, and ability to repair DNA damage induced by genotoxic agents. These findings underscore the importance of topoisomerase 3 alpha in homologous recombination repair and replication stress in T. cruzi.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Juliana Nunes Roson, Marcela de Oliveira Vitarelli, Hellida Marina Costa-Silva, Kamille Schmitt Pereira, David da Silva Pires, Leticia de Sousa Lopes, Barbara Cordeiro, Amelie Kraus, Karin Navarro Tozzi Cruz, Simone Guedes Calderano, Stenio Perdigao Fragoso, T. Nicolai Siegel, Maria Carolina Elias, Julia Pinheiro Chagas da Cunha
Summary: This study focused on the unique features of gene expression regulation in trypanosomatids. Through histone ChIP-seq analysis, it was found that H2B.V was enriched at critical genomic regions in T. cruzi and interacted with chromatin acetylation factors. Parasites with reduced H2B.V levels showed higher rates of differentiation and infectivity.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Lucas Lorenzon, Jose C. Quilles Jr, Gustavo Daniel Campagnaro, Lissur Azevedo Orsine, Leticia Almeida, Flavio Veras, Rubens Daniel Miserani Magalhaes, Juliana Alcoforado Diniz, Tiago Rodrigues Ferreira, Angela Kaysel Cruz
Summary: In trypanosomatids, RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play a crucial role in gene expression regulation through the posttranscriptional modification by protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs). This study functionally characterized the predicted PRMTs in Leishmania braziliensis and revealed the variation of R-methylation profiles among Leishmania species and different lifecycle stages. The results suggest the existence of a PRMT-interacting protein network and the importance of arginine methylation in parasite-host cell interactions.
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Parasitology
Daniella C. Bartholomeu, Santuza Maria Ribeiro Teixeira, Angela Kaysel Cruz
Summary: The availability of Trypanosomatid genomic data in public databases has led to numerous experimental possibilities, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the biology of these parasites and their interactions with hosts.
MEMORIAS DO INSTITUTO OSWALDO CRUZ
(2021)