Nilu Wansadhipathi-Kannangara, John Mina, Ssu-Ying Pan, Nilu Wansadhipathi, Catherine Bruce, Hosam Shams-Eldin, Ralph Schwarz, P.G. Steel and Paul W. Denny 2009. The Trypanosoma brucei sphingolipid synthase, an essential enzyme and drug target. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology. 168 (2009), pp. 16-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molbiopara.2009.06.002
| Title | The Trypanosoma brucei sphingolipid synthase, an essential enzyme and drug target |
|---|---|
| Type | Journal article |
| Authors | Nilu Wansadhipathi-Kannangara, John Mina, Ssu-Ying Pan, Nilu Wansadhipathi, Catherine Bruce, Hosam Shams-Eldin, Ralph Schwarz, P.G. Steel and Paul W. Denny |
| Abstract | Sphingolipids are important components of eukaryotic membranes, particularly the plasma membrane,and are involved in a diverse array of signal transduction processes. In the Eukaryota the biosynthetic pathway for the formation of these lipid species is largely conserved. However, in contrast to mammals which produce sphingomyelin (SM), several pathogenic fungi and protozoa synthesize inositol phorylceramide (IPC) as the primary phosphosphingolipid. This process is catalyzed by the enzyme IPC synthase, a recognized target for anti-fungals encoded by the AUR1 gene in yeast. Recently, functional orthologues of the AUR1p have been identified in a group of insect vector-borne pathogenic protozoa, the Kinetoplastida, which are responsible for a range of so-called neglected diseases. Of these the Trypanosoma brucei species are the causative agents of human African trypanosomiasis in many of the most under-developed regions of Africa. The available treatments for these diseases are limited, of decreasing efficacy, and often demonstrate severe side-effects. Against this background the T. brucei sphingolipid synthase, an orthologue of the yeast AUR1p, may represent a promising target for novel anti-protozoals. |
| Keywords | Sphingolipid |
| Inositol phosphorylceramide | |
| Sphingomyelin | |
| Trypanosoma brucei | |
| Journal | Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology |
| Journal citation | 168 (2009), pp. 16-23 |
| ISSN | 1872-9428 |
| 0166-6851 | |
| Year | 2009 |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Accepted author manuscript | File Access Level Open (open metadata and files) |
| Publisher's version | File Access Level Open (open metadata and files) |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molbiopara.2009.06.002 |
| Web address (URL) | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19545591/ |
| Publication dates | |
| Published | Nov 2009 |
| Supplemental file | File Access Level Open (open metadata and files) |