The role of Prostaglandin F2-alpha synthase in the interaction of Leishmania braziliensis with the mammalian host

• Grant number: 11/02040-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: June 01, 2011
• End date: September 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Protozoology of Parasites
• Principal Investigator: Angela Kaysel Cruz
• Grantee: Eliza Vanessa Carneiro Alves Ferreira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 13/22223-1 - Implications of Leishmania braziliensis prostaglandin F2-alpha synthase expression in the infection profile in mice, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

It has been recently described that Prostaglandins (PGs) production is not restricted to mammals. Trypanosomes also synthesize several metabolites of arachidonic acid, but the biological role of PGs in these parasites and their influence in the infection are not well elucidated. Results from my Master studies indicate that there is a correlation between the expression level of Prostaglandin F2 alpha synthase (PGFS) and the behavior of Leishmania in its mammalian host. Our data emphasize the importance of an investigation of PGFS role of in Leishmania. Thus we propose a PhD project to investigate a possible correlation between the levels of LbrPGFS (and its product Prostaglandin F2 alpha), the characteristics of the parasite in the primary lesion and the inflammatory response profile analysis. To confirm the correlation of the level of PGs and patterns of the infection, we will generate LbrPGFS (LbrM31_V2.2410) knockout and overexpressing mutants. These mutants are also engineered to overexpress the Luciferase enzyme gene, integrated into the ribosomal locus, which will enable the analysis of tropism of the mutants by intravital microscopy.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CARNEIRO ALVES-FERREIRA, ELIZA VANESSA; FERREIRA, TIAGO RODRIGUES; WALRAD, PEGINE; KAYE, PAUL M.; CRUZ, ANGELA KAYSEL. Leishmania braziliensis prostaglandin F-2 alpha synthase impacts host infection. PARASITES & VECTORS, v. 13, n. 1, JAN 8 2020. (13/50219-9, 11/02040-4, 14/19400-1, 10/20597-3)

ALVES-FERREIRA, ELIZA V. C.; TOLEDO, JULIANO S.; DE OLIVEIRA, ARTHUR H. C.; FERREIRA, TIAGO R.; RUY, PATRICIA C.; PINZAN, CAMILA F.; SANTOS, RAMON F.; BOAVENTURA, VIVIANE; ROJO, DAVID; LOPEZ-GONZALVEZ, ANGELEZ; et al. Differential Gene Expression and Infection Profiles of Cutaneous and Mucosal Leishmania braziliensis Isolates from the Same Patient. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, v. 9, n. 9, SEP 2015. (11/02040-4, 10/20597-3, 09/01641-4, 06/50323-7)

FERREIRA, TIAGO R.; ALVES-FERREIRA, ELIZA V. C.; DEFINA, TANIA P. A.; WALRAD, PEGINE; PAPADOPOULOU, BARBARA; CRUZ, ANGELA K.. Altered expression of an RBP-associated arginine methyltransferase 7 in Leishmania major affects parasite infection. Molecular Microbiology, v. 94, n. 5, p. 1085-1102, DEC 2014. (11/02040-4, 10/01129-9, 10/20597-3, 06/50323-7)