Work

Trypanothione Reductase Activity is Prominent in Metacyclic Promastigotes and Axenic Amastigotes ofLeishmania amazonesis. Evaluation of its Potential as a Therapeutic Target

Year: 2004

Type: article

Abstract: The activity of trypanothione reductase in Leishmania amazonensis was evaluated and it was demonstrated that TR is expressed in the soluble fractions of infective promastigotes and amastigotes, while non-infective promastigotes expressed the enzyme at basal levels. This data allows an association of enzyme activity and the infective capacity of the parasite. We have also previously demonstrated that amidine compounds (N, N'-diphenyl-4-methoxy-benzamidine and pentamidine) were active against this parasite. Here, experiments concerning the effect of these compounds on TR activity, showed that both compounds significantly inhibited the enzyme. However, against glutathione reductase, only pentamidine showed a significant inhibitory action, suggesting an association with the toxic effects of this drug used in the clinic for the treatment of leishmaniasis.

Source: Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry

DOI: 10.1080/14756360310001624966

Authors: Denise B. Castro-Pinto, Aurea Echevarria, Marcelo S. Genestra, Léa Cysne-Finkelstein, Leonor L. Leon

Institutions: Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro

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: bronze

Funders: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz