Evaluation of mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase knockout in Trypanosoma cruzi bioenergetics

• Grant number: 10/08408-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2010
• End date: December 31, 2010
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Metabolism and Bioenergetics
• Principal Investigator: Fernanda Ramos Gadelha
• Grantee: Renan Peixinho Alves dos Santos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Cytosolic tryparedoxin peroxidase is an antioxidant protein involved in a pathway for hydroperoxide detoxification restricted to the trypanosomatids. This pathway is distinct from the counterpart present in the host offering options for the development of a more specific therapy for Chagas disease treatment. Another tryparedoxin peroxidase (TcMPx) was identified in the mitochondrion, together with other components of the pathway, suggesting that or this organel has all the components present in the cytosol, or a cooperation among these compartments exist in order to protect the parasite against hydroperoxide-mediated damage.Since the discovery of TcMPx in 2000, little is known regarding its contribution to T. cruzi s protection against oxidative stress. The main purpose of this project is to investigate the function of this peroxiredoxin through the production of T. cruzi epimastigotes containing a knockout for TcMPx. Once these cells are obtained the following parameters will be studied: cell viability, mitochondrial bioenergetics and resistance to H2O2-treatment and to the increase in H2O2 generation inside the mitochondrion.