Antioxidant enzymes expression in Trypanosoma cruzi submitted to oxidative stress

• Grant number: 09/16866-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2010
• End date: February 28, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Metabolism and Bioenergetics
• Principal Investigator: Fernanda Ramos Gadelha
• Grantee: Conrado de Campos Gonçalves
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Trypanosoma cruzi antioxidant system has been the topic of interest in research, where cytosolic (TcCPx) and mitochondrial (TcMPx) tryparedoxin peroxidases as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) A and B, have an important role in this system. Also, TcCPx and TCMPx have been pointed out as important virulent factors. Proline, an aminoacid related to T. cruzi metabolism, has been suggested to be an prooxidant or antioxidant. This project aims in the study of the expression of these enzymes in T. cruzi epimastigotes overexpressing TcCPx or TcMPx submitted to H2O2 or TTFA tretament, in the presence or not of proline. TTFA generates H2O2 inside the mitochondrion. The main objective is to understand the role of the enzymes present in different intracelullar compartments in T. cruzi protection against oxidative stress. A possible cooperation among the cytosolic and mitochondrial system, as well the proline role in these conditions will also be investigated. Once this system is different from the mammalian counterpart, this study can lead to the identification of new therapeutics targets.