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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Oxidative stress protection of Trypanosomes requires selenophosphate synthase

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Author(s):
Costa, F. C. [1] ; Oliva, M. A. V. [1] ; de Jesus, T. C. L. [2] ; Schenkman, S. [2] ; Thiemann, O. H. [1]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Lab Prot Crystallog & Struct Biol, Phys Inst Sao Carlos, BR-13566590 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, BR-04023062 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology; v. 180, n. 1, p. 47-50, NOV 2011.
Web of Science Citations: 8
Abstract

Selenoproteins are characterized by the incorporation of at least one amino acid selenocysteine (Sec-U) encoded by in-frame UGA stop codons. These proteins, as well as the components of the Sec synthesis pathway, are present in members of the bacteria, archaea and eukaryote domains. Although not a ubiquitous pathway in all organisms, it was also identified in several protozoa, including the Kinetoplastida. Genetic evidence has indicated that the pathway is non-essential to the survival of Trypanosoma growing in non-stressed conditions. By analyzing the effects of RNA interference of the Trypanosoma brucei selenophosphate synthetase SPS2, we found a requirement under sub-optimal growth conditions. The present work shows that SPS2 is involved in oxidative stress protection of the parasite and its absence severely hampers the parasite survival in the presence of an oxidizing environment that results in an apoptotic-like phenotype and cell death. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 98/14138-2 - Center for Structural Molecular Biotechnology
Grantee:Glaucius Oliva
Support type: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
FAPESP's process: 99/02874-9 - The sugarcane EST project
Grantee:Otavio Henrique Thiemann
Support type: Genome Research Grants
FAPESP's process: 07/54621-5 - Cell organization in the differentiation and in the cell cycle of Trypanosoma
Grantee:Sergio Schenkman
Support type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants