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C14DM Ablation Leads to Reduced Tolerance to Plasma Membrane Stress and Increased Drug Sensitivity in Leishmania major

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Sterol biosynthesis is crucial for the function of biological membranes and an important target for anti-protozoan/anti-fungal drugs. In the trypanosomatid parasite Leishmania major, the deletion of sterol C14-demethylase (C14DM) results in hypersensitivity to heat, increased plasma membrane fluidity, profound mitochondrial dysfunctions, and reduced virulence in mice. In this study, we show that C14DM-null mutants are defective in their tolerance to membrane-disrupting agents and osmotic stress and their ability to form autophagosomes. In addition, C14DM-null mutants exhibit a heightened sensitivity to anti-trypanosomatid drugs including antimony, ethidium bromide, and pentamidine. The combination of itraconazole (a C14DM antagonist) and pentamidine synergistically inhibits the growth of Leishmania parasites. These findings reveal new insight into the roles of sterol synthesis in protozoan pathogens and highlight the potential of using drug combinations to achieve better treatment outcomes.

Source: International Journal of Molecular Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/ijms26178473

Authors: Samrat Moitra, Sumit Mukherjee, Veronica L Hernandez, Kai Zhang

Institutions: Texas Tech University, Texas State University

Language: English

Topic: Research on Leishmaniasis Studies

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,499