Role of Polyamines in Parasite Cell Architecture and Function

Vannier-Santos, Marcos A.; Suarez-Fontes, Ana Márcia

doi:10.2174/1381612823666170703163458

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 345 publications

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“…In addition to proteinogenic amino acids, T. gondii tachyzoites are thought to rely on uptake of ornithine and spermine to reverse-synthesize polyamines 30 . The metabolic roles that are fulfilled by these compounds in T. gondii are still ill defined 30 , 31 .…”

Section: Ingredients To Make a Tachyzoitementioning

confidence: 99%

Metabolic interactions between Toxoplasma gondii and its host

Blume

Seeber

2018

F1000Res

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Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa that infects all warm-blooded animals, including humans. T. gondii can replicate in every nucleated host cell by orchestrating metabolic interactions to derive crucial nutrients. In this review, we summarize the current status of known metabolic interactions of T. gondii with its host cell and discuss open questions and promising experimental approaches that will allow further dissection of the host–parasite interface and discovery of ways to efficiently target both tachyzoite and bradyzoite forms of T. gondii, which are associated with acute and chronic infection, respectively.

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Section: Ingredients To Make a Tachyzoitementioning

confidence: 99%

Metabolic interactions between Toxoplasma gondii and its host

Blume

Seeber

2018

F1000Res

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“…(Manjolin et al, 2013 ; Lacerda et al, 2018 ). This enzyme has its importance both in the polyamine biosynthesis, essential for the biology of the parasite (Vannier-Santos and Suarez-Fontes, 2017 ), and in the evasion of the host's immune response against the parasite (D'Antonio et al, 2013 ). In this regard, inhibition of polyamine metabolism can cause mitochondrial destruction and formation of flagellar pocket exosomes in L. amazonensis (Vannier-Santos et al, 2008 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethanolic Extract of the Fungus Trichoderma asperelloides Induces Ultrastructural Effects and Death on Leishmania amazonensis

Lopes

Santos

Anjos

et al. 2020

Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol.

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The Trichoderma genus comprises several species of fungi whose diversity of secondary metabolites represents a source of potential molecules with medical application. Because of increased pathogen resistance and demand for lower production costs, the search for new pharmacologically active molecules effective against pathogens has become more intense. This is particularly evident in the case of American cutaneous leishmaniasis due to the high toxicity of current treatments, parenteral administration, and increasing rate of refractory cases. We have previously shown that a fungus from genus Trichoderma can be used for treating cerebral malaria in mouse models and inhibit biofilm formation. Here, we evaluated the effect of the ethanolic extract of Trichoderma asperelloides (Ext-Ta) and its fractions on promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis , a major causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the New World. Ext-Ta displayed leishmanicidal action on L. amazonensis parasites, and its pharmacological activity was associated with the low-molecular-weight fraction (LMWF) of Ext-Ta. Ultrastructural analysis demonstrated morphological alterations in the mitochondria and the flagellar pocket of promastigotes, with increased lipid body and acidocalcisome formation, microtubule disorganization of the cytoplasm, and intense vacuolization of the cytoplasm when amastigotes were present. We suggest the antiparasitic activity of Trichoderma fungi as a promising tool for developing chemotherapeutic leishmanicidal agents.

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“…Polyamines (PA) are ubiquitous organic polycations that play a plethora of ubiquitous biological roles in most cell types, including bacteria, protozoa, and higher organisms [67], with significant metabolic differences, therefore comprising promising drug targets for protozoal diseases [68]. PA metabolism among parasitic protozoa is defective in a number of pathways as compared to mammalian cells.…”

Section: Polyaminesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parasite, Compartments, and Molecules: Trick versus Treatment on Chagas Disease

Vannier‐Santos¹,

Brunoro²,

Soeiro³

et al. 2019

Biology OfTrypanosoma Cruzi

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Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is endemic to Latin America, standing out as a socioeconomic problem for low-income tropical populations. Such disease affects millions of people worldwide and emerges in nonendemic areas due to migration and climate changes. The current chemotherapy is restricted to two nitroderivatives (benznidazole and nifurtimox), which is unsatisfactory due to limited efficacy (particularly in chronic phase) and adverse side effects. T. cruzi life cycle is complex, including invertebrate and vertebrate hosts and three developmental forms (epimastigotes, trypomastigotes, and amastigotes). In this chapter, we will discuss promising cellular and molecular targets present in the vertebrate-dwelling forms of the parasite (trypomastigotes and amastigotes). Among the cellular targets, the mitochondrion is the most frequently studied; while among the molecular ones, we highlight squalene synthase, C14α-sterol demethylase, and cysteine proteases. In this scenario, proteomics becomes a valuable tool for the identification of other molecular targets, and some previously identified candidates will be also discussed. Multidisciplinary studies are needed to identify novel key molecules in T. cruzi in order to increase trypanocidal activity and reduce mammalian toxicity, ensuring the development of novel drugs for Chagas disease.

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Role of Polyamines in Parasite Cell Architecture and Function

Cited by 8 publications

References 345 publications

Metabolic interactions between Toxoplasma gondii and its host

Metabolic interactions between Toxoplasma gondii and its host

Ethanolic Extract of the Fungus Trichoderma asperelloides Induces Ultrastructural Effects and Death on Leishmania amazonensis

Parasite, Compartments, and Molecules: Trick versus Treatment on Chagas Disease

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