Leishmania donovani asparaginase variants exhibit cytosolic localization

Asparaginase, a pivotal enzyme of the aspartate metabolic pathway is present as two variants in Leishmania donovani, causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Our microscopy based analysis revealed that the green fluorescent protein tagged asparaginase variants were localized in the cytosol of the parasite. The finding was also supported by the in silico analysis of the L. donovani asparaginase variants. This finding is in stark contrast with other parasitic species such as M. tuberculosis where asparaginase is secreted out of the parasite. Further studies are required to decipher the exact function of asparaginase variants in the infectivity and growth of the parasite.