Importance of oligopeptidase B (OPB) in the infection of macrophages by L. (L.) amazonensis

• Grant number: 19/02391-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: June 01, 2019
• End date: March 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Biochemistry of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Beatriz Simonsen Stolf
• Grantee: Gustavo Rolim Barbosa
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Leishmania spp. are protozoan parasites that cause leishmaniasis, an endemic disease in more than 98 countries, responsible for more than 1 million new cases every year. The infection can manifest itself in several clinical forms in man, which can be grouped in tegumentary/cutaneous or visceral. The parasite is transmitted to hosts by the bite of female phlebotomine insects. During its life cycle Leishmania is found in the promastigote form transmitted by the vector and in the amastigote form (intracellular) in the vertebrate host. The parasites express different virulence factors which help their internalization, survival and proliferation inside the host cell. The oligopeptidase B (OPB) is a serine peptidase from prolyl peptidase family (SC clan, S9 family), characterized by the presence of a serine in the active site, whose hydroxyl group participates in catalysis and substrate binding. This protein has been reported as an important virulence factor in trypanosomatids, mainly in Trypanossoma cruzi, by acting on Ca2+ signaling during parasite invasion of the vertebrate host´s cells. In Leishmania little is known about OPB effects during infection, only that there is late lesion development in the absence of this protein. To fulfill the existing gaps, this project aims to evaluate the effects of OPB in infection and phagocytosis of macrophages by L. (L.) amazonensis and L. (L.) chagasi and identify its ligand in the host cells. (AU)

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)

BARBOSA, GUSTAVO ROLIM; MARANA, SANDRO ROBERTO; STOLF, BEATRIZ SIMONSEN. Characterization of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis oligopeptidase B and its role in macrophage infection. Parasitology, v. N/A, p. 8-pg., 2022-06-15. (18/14972-8, 19/02391-3)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

BARBOSA, Gustavo Rolim. Importance of Oligopeptidase B in the infection of medullary macrophages by L. Leishmania amazonenses.. 2021. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI) São Paulo.