Molecular studies on trypanothione reductase, a target for antiparasitic drugs

Trends Biochem Sci. 1991 Aug;16(8):305-9. doi: 10.1016/0968-0004(91)90124-e.

Abstract

Trypanosoma and Leishmania are parasitic protozoa that cause a variety of diseases, which include African sleeping sickness and oriental sore. Attempts to determine pharmaceutically exploitable differences between host and parasite biochemistry have identified the unique trypanothione pathway as a possible target. This pathway includes the enzyme trypanothione reductase, the parasite analogue of glutathione reductase.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Drug Design
  • Glutathione / analogs & derivatives
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Leishmania / drug effects
  • Leishmania / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases / genetics
  • Spermidine / analogs & derivatives
  • Spermidine / metabolism
  • Trypanosoma / drug effects
  • Trypanosoma / metabolism

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • trypanothione
  • NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases
  • trypanothione reductase
  • Glutathione
  • Spermidine