Sphingomyelinase Activity ofTrichomonas vaginalisExtract and Subfractions

Abstract

Trichomoniasis is one of the most common acute sexually transmitted curable diseases, and it is disseminated worldwide generating more than 170 million cases annually. Trichomonas vaginalis is the parasite that causes trichomoniasis and has the ability to destroy cell monolayers of the vaginal mucosa in vitro. Sphingomyelinases (SMase) are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin into ceramide and phosphorylcholine. Ceramide appears to be a second messenger lipid in programmed apoptosis, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation. Sphingomyelinase is probably a major source of ceramide in cells. Signal transduction mediated by ceramide leads cells to produce cytokine induced apoptosis during several inflammatory responses. SMase are also relevant toxins in several microorganisms. The main objective of this research is to identify SMase activity of T. vaginalis in the total extract (TE), P30, and S30 subfractions from brooked trophozoites. It was found that these fractions of T. vaginalis have SMase activity, which comes principally from P30 subfraction and was mainly type C. Enzymatic activity of SMase increased linearly with time and is pH dependent with two peaks by pH 5.5 and pH 7.5. The addition of manganese to the reaction mixture increased the SMase activity by 1.97.

Manganese and Microbial Pathogenesis: Sequestration by the Mammalian Immune System and Utilization by Microorganisms

“…Addition of Mn(II) to T. vaginalis cell extracts affords a 2-fold increase in sphingomyelinase activity. 103 It will be important to evaluate the contributions of these enzymes, and others, to virulence and the effect of CP on enzymatic activity. Lastly, the gut commensal Lactobacillus genus expresses a dinuclear Mn-containing catalase to detoxify hydrogen peroxide.…”

“…Addition of Mn­(II) to T. vaginalis cell extracts affords a 2-fold increase in sphingomyelinase activity . It will be important to evaluate the contributions of these enzymes, and others, to virulence and the effect of CP on enzymatic activity.…”

Group B Streptococcus CAMP Factor Does Not Contribute to Interactions with the Vaginal Epithelium and Is Dispensable for Vaginal Colonization in Mice

“…In a clinical study, cervicovaginal sphingomyelin levels were positively correlated with genital inflammation and vaginal pH, although specific microbial signatures associated with increased sphingomyelin were not observed ( 68 ). Contribution of microbial sphingomyelinases, such as from S. aureus ( 65 ) or Trichomonas vaginalis ( 69 ), to interspecies cross-feeding and stimulation of host inflammation in the vaginal environment should be addressed in future studies.…”