Fatty Acid Composition and Metabolism in Leishmania Parasite Species: Potential Biomarkers or Drug Targets for Leishmaniasis?

Abstract

Fatty acids have received growing interest in Leishmania biology with the characterization of the enzymes allowing the complete fatty acid synthesis of this trypanosomatid parasite. This review presents a comparative analysis of the fatty acid profiles of the major classes of lipids and phospholipids in different species of Leishmania with cutaneous or visceral tropism. Specificities relating to the parasite forms, resistance to antileishmanial drugs, and host/parasite interactions are described as well as comparisons with other trypanosomatids. Emphasis is placed on polyunsaturated fatty acids and their metabolic and functional specificities, in particular, their conversion into oxygenated metabolites that are inflammatory mediators able to modulate metacyclogenesis and parasite infectivity. The impact of lipid status on the development of leishmaniasis and the potential of fatty acids as therapeutic targets or candidates for nutritional interventions are discussed.

Molecular Research on Vector-Borne Diseases of Medical Interest: From Bench to Application 2.0

“…Characterizing enzymes allowing fatty (FA) acid synthesis by Leishmania opens perspectives on understanding their role in parasite biology and development. The review proposed by Leroux et al [13] provides clues on FA composition profiles and the metabolism of the major lipids and phospholipids classes in Leishmania species responsible for cutaneous or visceral diseases. In L. major, T. cruzi, and T. brucei, in human and animal trypanosomatid pathogens, several enzymes involved in de novo FA synthesis have emerged as potential drug targets.…”