Fatty acids of Trypanosoma cruzi

Timm, S.L.; Netto, Annibal Duarte Pereira; Oliveira, Mécia M.

doi:10.1016/0305-0491(82)90400-x

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…These results suggest the existence of a free intracellular AA source in the epimastigotes of T. cruzi and probably the presence of a PGE 2metabolizing system in the parasite. Indeed, the presence of AA in the parasite cells has been demonstrated by several earlier investigations (28,29). These studies showed around 0.7% AA in phospholipid fraction of T. cruzi Y strain epimastigotes (28), whereas fatty acid composition of individual phospholipids revealed 1.3% and trace amount of AA in phosphatydilcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, respectively.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

“…Indeed, the presence of AA in the parasite cells has been demonstrated by several earlier investigations (28,29). These studies showed around 0.7% AA in phospholipid fraction of T. cruzi Y strain epimastigotes (28), whereas fatty acid composition of individual phospholipids revealed 1.3% and trace amount of AA in phosphatydilcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, respectively. Although de novo synthesis of AA from acetate is not known in trypanosomes, T. cruzi needs AA as a component of the building block of its phospholipid structure and AA, along with other fatty acids, is responsible for the fluidity of cell membranes in this organism.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

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A Key Role for Old Yellow Enzyme in the Metabolism of Drugs by Trypanosoma cruzi

Kubata¹,

Kabututu

Nozaki

et al. 2002

The Journal of Experimental Medicine

119

113

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Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas' disease. So far, first choice anti-chagasic drugs in use have been shown to have undesirable side effects in addition to the emergence of parasite resistance and the lack of prospect for vaccine against T. cruzi infection. Thus, the isolation and characterization of molecules essential in parasite metabolism of the anti-chagasic drugs are fundamental for the development of new strategies for rational drug design and/or the improvement of the current chemotherapy. While searching for a prostaglandin (PG) F2α synthase homologue, we have identified a novel “old yellow enzyme” from T. cruzi (TcOYE), cloned its cDNA, and overexpressed the recombinant enzyme. Here, we show that TcOYE reduced 9,11-endoperoxide PGH2 to PGF2α as well as a variety of trypanocidal drugs. By electron spin resonance experiments, we found that TcOYE specifically catalyzed one-electron reduction of menadione and β-lapachone to semiquinone-free radicals with concomitant generation of superoxide radical anions, while catalyzing solely the two-electron reduction of nifurtimox and 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide drugs without free radical production. Interestingly, immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that anti-TcOYE polyclonal antibody abolished major reductase activities of the lysates toward these drugs, identifying TcOYE as a key drug-metabolizing enzyme by which quinone drugs have their mechanism of action.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

A Key Role for Old Yellow Enzyme in the Metabolism of Drugs by Trypanosoma cruzi

Kubata¹,

Kabututu

Nozaki

et al. 2002

The Journal of Experimental Medicine

119

113

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Schistosoma mansoni purified from infected mice (adult stage of the parasite) has a complex fatty acid composition (136), including saturated, unsaturated, and branched-chain components with carbon-chain lengths of 12 to 24 atoms. The fatty acids in the total lipid fractions in Trypanosoma cruzi consist mainly of C18:2, C18:1, C18:0, and C18:0 (142). Polyunsaturated acids are also found.…”

Section: Blood Parasitesmentioning

confidence: 99%