Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
10972904 | International Journal for Parasitology | 2009 | 4 Pages |
Abstract
Trypanosomatids, the causative agents of several tropical diseases, have a unique thiol metabolism based on trypanothione [bis(glutathionyl)spermidine]. Enzymes of the pathway are attractive drug target molecules but the availability of trypanothione remains an obstacle. Here, we present a convenient method for the production of trypanothione and trypanothione disulfide in >200Â mg quantities using a mutant of Crithidia fasciculata trypanothione synthetase in which Cys59 has been replaced by an alanine residue. The reagent costs less than 1% of the commercial price of trypanothione disulfide. The protocol also allows the synthesis of related glutathione conjugates. It will greatly facilitate the thorough analysis of this parasite's metabolism and drug screening approaches against trypanothione-dependent enzymes.
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Parasitology
Authors
Marcelo A. Comini, Natalie Dirdjaja, Mariel Kaschel, R. Luise Krauth-Siegel,