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
Immunology
Leila dos Santos Moura, Vinicius Santana Nunes, Antoniel A. S. Gomes, Ana Caroline de Castro Nascimento Sousa, Marcos R. M. Fontes, Sergio Schenkman, Nilmar Silvio Moretti
Summary: The research highlights the involvement of lysine acetylation in the oxidative stress response of T. cruzi, especially through the mitochondrial lysine deacetylase TcSir2rp3 regulating the activity of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase A (TcSODA). The study also shows that acetylation of K97 in TcSODA plays a key role in modulating enzyme activity and maintaining redox homeostasis in trypanosomatids. Additionally, the interaction between TcSir2rp3 and TcSODA contributes to the understanding of mechanisms used by T. cruzi to progress during infection.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carolina Prolo, Damian Estrada, Lucia Piacenza, Diego Benitez, Marcelo A. Comini, Rafael Radi, Maria Noel Alvarez
Summary: This study shows that the lack of superoxide radical produced by Nox2-deficient macrophages leads to increased susceptibility to T. cruzi infection in a murine model. Reconstitution of intraphagosomal superoxide radical formation in these macrophages restores the control of infection. The presence of Nox2-derived superoxide radical plays a crucial role in controlling early phase T. cruzi infection in a murine model of Chagas disease.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ana Cristina S. Bombaca, Leonardo A. Silva, Otavio Augusto Chaves, Lorrainy S. da Silva, Juliana M. C. Barbosa, Ari M. da Silva, Aurelio B. B. Ferreira, Rubem F. S. Menna-Barreto
Summary: This study introduces a novel anti-protozoan drug N4 and its mechanism of action against Trypanosoma cruzi, showing high activity in all parasite stages and indicating it as a potential alternative treatment for Chagas disease. The results presented here may serve as a good starting point for the development of alternative treatments for Chagas disease and for understanding the mechanism of naphthoimidazoles in T. cruzi.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Ester Rose, Aline Moraes, Tatiana Shiroma, Nadjar Nitz, Ana de Cassia Rosa, Riccardo Pratesi, Luciana Hagstrom, Juliana Lott de Carvalho, Mariana Hecht
Summary: Our study found that T. cruzi infection can influence the host cell's response to DNA damage, depending on the strain and H2O2 concentration. Cells infected with Berenice strain showed reduced DNA damage response after treatment with 0.8mM H2O2. Infection with the Colombiana strain prevented the activation of DNA repair pathways in response to 0.8mM and 1.6mM H2O2.
Article
Microbiology
Jose E. Calzada, Franklyn Samudio, Corina de Junca, Vanessa Pineda, Barbara A. Burleigh, Azael Saldana
Summary: This study provides information on the genetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi isolates in Panama, revealing that TcI is the predominant type circulating in the country, along with the presence of TcIII and TcVI. The Panamanian TcI isolates showed high genetic homogeneity, but also displayed genetic diversity within endemic regions of the country, with geographical structuring among TcI isolates from different regions in the Americas.
Article
Immunology
Francisco Callejas-Hernandez, Alfonso Herreros-Cabello, Javier del Moral-Salmoral, Manuel Fresno, Nuria Girones
Summary: This study analyzed the complete repertoire of maxicircle and minicircle sequences of different T. cruzi strains, revealing structural differences in minicircles and maxicircles among strains. Understanding the mitochondrial genome of Trypanosomatids is crucial for coordinating the expression of nuclear and mitochondrial genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation, and the heterogeneity observed in minicircles and maxicircles suggests a more complex organization than previously described.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Francilene Capel Tavares de Carvalho, Larissa Ragozo Cardoso de Oliveira, Mariana Gatto, Karen Ingrid Tasca, Laura Denise Mendes da Silva, Klinsmann Carolo dos Santos, Damiana Tortolero Pierine, Erika Alessandra Pellison Nunes da Costa, Fabiane Valentini Francisqueti-Ferron, Rodrigo Mattos dos Santos, Camila Renata Correa
Summary: Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is a neglected disease that affects millions of people worldwide. The immune response to the parasite involves the activation of inflammation and production of reactive oxygen species, leading to tissue injury and DNA damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate oxidative stress parameters in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with Chagas disease.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Alicia Majeau, Erin Cloherty, A. Nikki Anderson, Susanne C. Straif-Bourgeois, Eric Dumonteil, Claudia Herrera
Summary: Raccoons in Louisiana serve as an important reservoir for Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. Assessing the genetic diversity of T. cruzi in raccoons is crucial to evaluate the risk to human health. The study revealed previously unreported DTU types and a significant association between DTU distribution and ecoregions in Louisiana, highlighting the need for ongoing surveillance and targeted interventions to mitigate human health risk.
Review
Immunology
Edio Maldonado, Sebastian Morales-Pison, Fabiola Urbina, Aldo Solari
Summary: Trypanosomatids are primitive unicellular eukaryotes that can cause diseases in various organisms, with the integrity of their kinetoplast genome being crucial for cell survival. Base excision repair is a well-conserved pathway for DNA repair after oxidatively generated lesions, enabling cells to repair damage and proliferate. Pol beta and Pol beta-PAK are key enzymes involved in BER in trypanosomatids, with Pol beta-PAK showing additional trans-lesion synthesis capability across specific DNA lesions.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
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
Infectious Diseases
Edio Maldonado, Diego A. Rojas, Fabiola Urbina, Aldo Solari
Summary: This study identified three protein kinases (CK1, CK2, and TcAUK1) involved in the in vitro phosphorylation of Trypanosoma cruzi DNA polymerase beta (Tcpol beta), which increased the DNA polymerase activity of Tcpol beta. These phosphorylation events may play a crucial role in regulating Tcpol beta's function in vivo.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mu-Rong Chao, Mark D. Evans, Chiung-Wen Hu, Yunhee Ji, Peter Moller, Pavel Rossner, Marcus S. Cooke
Summary: Research on oxidative damage to DNA has implications for understanding the pathogenesis of various diseases, with increasing interest in the effects of damage to RNA and nucleotide pools. LCMS/MS and comet assays are important methods for assessing oxidative stress, but have limitations in sample requirements and application scope. Urine is an ideal matrix for studying nucleic acid-derived biomarkers of oxidative stress, with progress being made in validating measurements, particularly through DNA adductomics approaches that offer insights into the role of oxidatively damaged nucleic acids in disease.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yujie Zhang, Chunyang Ding, Wenkang Zhu, Xinyu Li, Techang Chen, Qingxi Liu, Sa Zhou, Tong-Cun Zhang, Wenjian Ma
Summary: This study reveals that bulky DNA damage inducing chemotherapeutic cancer drugs can stimulate persistent endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which correlates with DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) formation. The knockdown of key player BRCA1 in homologous recombination (HR) pathway enhances ROS accumulation, while inhibiting nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) repair pathway and restoring HR can partially suppress ROS levels. Knockdown of DNA repair regulator PP2A can also reduce ROS production.
Article
Entomology
Nadia A. Fernandez-Santos, Josefina C. Trujillo-Garcia, Sarah A. Hamer, Lihua Wei, Humberto Martinez-Montoya, Patricia Tamez-Guerra, Gabriel L. Hamer, Mario A. Rodriguez-Perez
Summary: This study provides entomological and parasitological data on triatomine vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi in a highly endemic region of Mexico. The morphological and molecular identification of four principal domestic species was conducted, and their presence in Oaxaca was documented. The study highlights the importance of accurate identification and understanding of the behavior and infection rates of these triatomines for vector control programs.
Article
Parasitology
Thais S. Tavares, Fernanda L. B. Mugge, Viviane Grazielle-Silva, Bruna M. Valente, Wanessa M. Goes, Antonio E. R. Oliveira, Ashton T. Belew, Alessandra A. Guarneri, Fabiano S. Pais, Najib M. El-Sayed, Santuza M. R. Teixeira
Summary: Trypanosoma cruzi has three distinct developmental stages that respond rapidly to environmental changes, controlled by post-transcriptional mechanisms including RNA binding proteins. TcZH3H12, an RNA binding protein, is up-regulated in epimastigotes and regulates gene expression and differentiation. This finding suggests a positive regulatory role of TcZH3H12 in epimastigote proliferation and a negative role in metacyclogenesis.
Article
Microbiology
Alex F. Carvalho, Raissa P. Rocha, Andreza P. Goncalves, Thais B. S. Silva, Hugo I. Sato, Larissa Vuitika, Flavia F. Bagno, Sarah A. R. Sergio, Maria M. Figueiredo, Ronaldo B. Martins, Juliano P. Souza, Eurico Arruda, Ana P. S. M. Fernandes, Pedro A. Alves, Santuza M. R. Teixeira, Flavio G. da Fonseca
Summary: The use of DS solution effectively reduces virus infectivity in clinical specimens and maintains RNA integrity without interfering with viral genome detection. DS can be stored at room temperature for up to 16 days and successfully inactivate SARS-CoV-2, providing protection for diagnostic laboratory personnel.
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Murilo S. Costa, Hugo Sato, Raissa P. Rocha, Alex F. Carvalho, Nathalia S. Guimaraes, Elaine L. Machado, Claudia R. L. Alves, Santuza M. R. Teixeira, Ricardo H. C. Takahashi, Unai Tupinambas, Flavio G. da Fonseca
Summary: A methodology for RT-qPCR pool testing was proposed to adjust the cut-off values of cycle threshold, aiming to improve the accuracy of detecting positive samples and enhance the contribution of large-scale testing for COVID-19. This approach ensures that samples on the edge of detectability in individual testing can still be correctly identified in pool testing, emphasizing the compatibility between pool processing and individual sample processing.
Article
Immunology
Maria Marta Figueiredo, Anna R. R. dos Santos, Lara C. Godoi, Natalia S. de Castro, Bruno C. de Andrade, Sarah A. R. Sergio, Selma M. B. Jeronimo, Edward J. de Oliveira, Ruth T. Valencia-Portillo, Lucilandia M. Bezerra, Hiro Goto, Maria C. A. Sanchez, Caroline Junqueira, Santuza M. R. Teixeira, Flavio G. da Fonseca, Ricardo T. Gazzinelli, Ana Paula Fernandes
Summary: The study evaluated a new chimeric protein DTL-4 for serodiagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis, showing high sensitivity and specificity in ELISA and ICT formats. DTL-4 is a promising candidate antigen for diagnosing VL patients, including those with VL/AIDS coinfection.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Erick Gustavo Dorlass, Karine Lima Lourenco, Rubens Daniel Miserani Magalhaes, Hugo Sato, Alex Fiorini, Renata Peixoto, Helena Perez Coelho, Bruna Larotonda Telezynski, Guilherme Pereira Scagion, Tatiana Ometto, Luciano Matsumiya Thomazelli, Danielle Bruna Leal Oliveira, Ana Paula Fernandes, Edison Luiz Durigon, Flavio Guimaraes Fonseca, Santuza Maria Ribeiro Teixeira
Summary: The rapid detection of genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2 plays a crucial role in impacting virus transmission, disease severity, vaccine response, and patient management. Sanger sequencing has been effective in quickly detecting the introduction and spread of different SARS-CoV-2 variants, aiding in timely response measures.
Article
Microbiology
Pedro A. Alves, Ellen G. de Oliveira, Ana Paula M. Franco-Luiz, Leticia T. Almeida, Amanda B. Goncalves, Iara A. Borges, Flavia de S. Rocha, Raissa P. Rocha, Matheus F. Bezerra, Pamella Miranda, Flavio D. Capanema, Henrique R. Martins, Gerald Weber, Santuza M. R. Teixeira, Gabriel Luz Wallau, Rubens L. Do Monte-Neto
Summary: The study validated a pH-dependent colorimetric reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) method for SARS-CoV-2 detection, showing good sensitivity and specificity, suitable for large-scale COVID-19 testing.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Flavia F. Bagno, Luis A. F. Andrade, Sarah A. R. Sergio, Pierina L. Parise, Daniel A. Toledo-Teixeira, Ricardo T. Gazzinelli, Ana P. S. M. Fernandes, Santuza M. R. Teixeira, Fabiana Granja, Jose L. Proenca-Modena, Flavio G. da Fonseca
Summary: Previous studies have shown that individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 can develop robust antibody responses after vaccination. In this study, the levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were compared in vaccinated individuals with or without previous COVID-19 infection. The results showed that the antibody kinetics were different between naive individuals and those who had recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, naive individuals had no detectable neutralizing activity against certain variants, while recovered individuals retained significant neutralizing activity.
Article
Virology
Paula L. C. Fonseca, Filipe R. R. Moreira, Rafael M. de Souza, Natalia R. Guimaraes, Nara O. Carvalho, Talita E. R. Adelino, Hugo J. Alves, Luige B. Alvim, Darlan S. Candido, Helena P. Coelho, Alana V. B. Costa, Walyson C. Costa, Alex F. de Carvalho, Bruna W. F. de Faria, Aline B. de Lima, Eneida S. de Oliveira, Carolina S. A. de Souza, Fernanda G. de Souza, Rillery C. Dias, Victor E. V. Geddes, Igor P. Godinho, Alessandro L. Goncalves, Karine L. Lourenco, Rubens D. M. Magalhaes, Frederico S. Malta, Eva L. A. Medeiros, Fernanda S. Mendes, Pedro H. B. de P. Mendes, Cristiane P. T. B. Mendonca, Andre L. Menezes, Diego Menezes, Mariane T. Menezes, Lucyene Miguita, Rennan G. Moreira, Renata B. Peixoto, Daniel C. Queiroz, Adriana A. Ribeiro, Ana Paula de B. Ribeiro, Juliana W. Saliba, Hugo Sato, Joice do P. Silva, Natiely P. Silva, Nuno R. Faria, Santuza M. R. Teixeira, Flavio G. da Fonseca, Ana Paula S. M. Fernandes, Danielle A. G. Zauli, Jose Nelio Januario, Jaqueline S. de Oliveira, Felipe C. de M. Iani, Renato S. de Aguiar, Renan P. de Souza
Summary: The emergence and spread of the Delta variant in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, was monitored through genotyping and genome sequencing. The Delta variant accounted for 70% of cases after 8 weeks and showed higher transmissibility compared to the Gamma variant. The dominance of the Delta variant did not result in an increase in cases and deaths, indicating that vaccination may have played a role in restraining the epidemic growth.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ana Maria Murta Santi, Juliana Martins Ribeiro, Joao Luis Reis-Cunha, Gabriela de Assis Burle-Caldas, Isabella Fernandes Martins Santos, Paula Alves Silva, Daniela de Melo Resende, Daniella Castanheira Bartholomeu, Santuza Maria Ribeiro Teixeira, Silvane Maria Fonseca Murta
Summary: In this study, the deletion of PGFS in T. cruzi did not affect the parasites' susceptibility to drugs but resulted in changes in oxidative stress tolerance and infectivity.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Virology
Hugo Jose Alves, Joao Locke Ferreira de Araujo, Paula Luize Camargos Fonseca, Filipe Romero Rebello Moreira, Diego Menezes Bonfim, Daniel Costa Queiroz, Lucyene Miguita, Rafael Marques de Souza, Victor Emmanuel Viana Geddes, Walyson Coelho Costa, Jaqueline Silva de Oliveira, Eva Lidia Arcoverde Medeiros, Carolina Senra Alves de Souza, Juliana Wilke Saliba, Andre Luiz Menezes, Eneida Santos de Oliveira, Talita Emile Ribeiro Adelino, Natalia Rocha Guimaraes, Adriana Aparecida Ribeiro, Rennan Garcias Moreira, Danielle Alves Gomes Zauli, Joice do Prado Silva, Frederico Scott Varella Malta, Alessandro Clayton de Souza Ferreira, Ana Valesca Fernandes Gilson Silva, Poliane Alfenas-Zerbini, Flavia Oliveira de Souza, Adriano de Paula Sabino, Laura do Amaral Xavier, Natalia Virtude Carobin, Alex Fiorini de Carvalho, Karine Lima Lourenco, Santuza Maria Ribeiro Teixeira, Ana Paula Salles Moura Fernandes, Flavio Guimaraes da Fonseca, Jonatas Santos Abrahao, Felipe Campos de Melo Iani, Rodrigo Araujo Lima Rodrigues, Renan Pedra de Souza, Renato Santana Aguiar
Summary: Since its first identification in Brazil, the Gamma variant has been associated with increased infection and transmission rates, leading to peaks of cases and deaths in Minas Gerais state. The study found Gamma to be the most common variant, but clusters of Zeta and Alpha variants were also observed. In addition, other rare variant lineages were identified. Genomic characterization estimated the introduction of Gamma in January 2021. The study emphasizes the importance of vaccination programs in preventing severe cases and deaths.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nathalia Sernizon Guimaraes, Murilo Soares Costa, Elaine Leandro Machado, Hugo Itaru Sato, Eduarda de Carvalho Maia e Amaral, Rafaela Galvao Arivabene, Karine Lima Lourenco, Unai Tupinambas, Flavio Guimaraes da Fonseca, Ricardo Hiroshi Caldeira Takahashi, Santuza Maria Ribeiro Teixeira, Claudia Regina Lindgren Alves
Summary: The study demonstrates the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of self-collected nasopharyngeal swab combined with pool testing to detect SARS-CoV-2 in epidemiological surveys, making the research work more convenient and efficient.
EPIDEMIOLOGIA E SERVICOS DE SAUDE
(2022)
Review
Parasitology
Murilo Soares Costa, Nathalia Sernizon Guimaraes, Andre Barbosa de Andrade, Luiza Passini Vaz-Tostes, Rhuan Braga Oliveira, Madara da Silva Simoes, Gabriel de Oliveira Gelape, Claudia Regina Lindgren Alves, Elaine Leandro Machado, Flavio Guimaraes da Fonseca, Santuza Maria Ribeiro Teixeira, Hugo Itaru Sato, Ricardo Hiroshi Caldeira Takahashi, Unai Tupinambas
Summary: Pool testing technique optimizes the number of tests and reduces delivery time, showing potential applications in various countries. Using pool testing in the general population may be a useful surveillance strategy for detecting new COVID-19 variants and evaluating vaccine immunity.
REVISTA DA SOCIEDADE BRASILEIRA DE MEDICINA TROPICAL
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Viviane Correa Santos, Antonio Edson Rocha Oliveira, Augusto Cesar Broilo Campos, Joao Luis Reis-Cunha, Daniella Castanheira Bartholomeu, Santuza Maria Ribeiro Teixeira, Ana Paula C. A. Lima, Rafaela Salgado Ferreira
Summary: This study revealed the gene repertoire of cruzipain in Trypanosoma cruzi, their expression patterns throughout the parasite life cycle, and the classification of cruzipains into two families based on sequence variations and structural differences. Family I genes are mainly expressed by epimastigotes, while trypomastigotes mainly express Family II genes, with significant differences in active sites and substrate selectivity among enzyme sub-types.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Dalila Junqueira Alvarenga, Eduardo de Figueiredo Peloso, Marcos Jose Marques, Thiago Belarmino de Souza, Jamie Anthony Hawkes, Diogo Teixeira Carvalho
Summary: Neolignans like licarins are secondary metabolites found in various plant species, with Licarin A being the most studied compound known for its multifunctional biological properties, ranging from cytotoxicity to antimicrobial activities, and potential therapeutic effects on central nervous system disorders and metabolic disorders.
REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE FARMACOGNOSIA-BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOGNOSY
(2021)
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)