Is the mitochondrion a promising drug target in trypanosomatids?

Abstract

The trypanosomatids Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. are etiological agents of important neglected tropical diseases, affecting millions of people worldwide, and the drugs available for these diseases present several limitations. Novel efficient and nontoxic drugs are necessary as an alternative to the current chemotherapy. The unique mitochondrion of trypanosomatids and its peculiar features turn this organelle a potential drug target. Several phenotypic studies describe the damage in the parasite mitochondrial ultrastructure, but the molecular target is unknown. Few reports demonstrated the electron transport system (ETS) as a target due to the high similarities to mammalian orthologues, hence ETS is not a good candidate for drug intervention. On the other hand, antioxidant enzymes, such as trypanothione reductase, and an alternative oxidase (AOX) seem to be interesting targets; however no high active inhibitors were developed up to now. Finally, due to the remarkable differences to mammalian machinery, together with the high biological importance for the parasite survival, the mitochondrial import system stands out as a very promising target in trypanosomatids. Archaic translocase of the outer membrane (ATOM) and translocase of the inner membrane (TIM) complexes, which mediate both protein and tRNA import, composed by specific subunits of these parasites, could be excellent candidates, deserving studies focused on the development of specific drugs.

Mitochondrial adaptations throughout the Trypanosoma brucei life cycle

“…Actually, the differences between the procyclic and bloodstream organelles are more quantitative than qualitative (Zikova et al, 2017). The unexplored mitochondrial pathways may represent promising targets for chemotherapeutics (Pedra‐Rezende et al, 2022).…”

Monomethylsulochrin isolated from biomass extract of Aspergillus sp. against Leishmania amazonensis: In vitro biological evaluation and molecular docking

“…The mitochondria of Leishmania parasites are different from the mammalian mitochondria ( Fonseca-Silva et al., 2011 ). Then, the mitochondrial damage can be a good target in search for new active compounds against protozoan ( Fonseca-Silva et al., 2011 ; Pedra-Rezende et al., 2022 ). The antileishmanial activity of flavonoid epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) against L. amazonensis promastigotes is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction causing parasite death ( Inacio et al., 2012 ).…”