Project title

METAL (IRON AND ZINC) METABOLISM IN LEISHMANIA

Scientific Coordinator's name:

Ana M. Tomás

Scientific Coordinator's e-mail:

atomas@ibmc.up.pt

Principal R&D Unit:

Molecular Parasitology

Other R&D Units involved in the project:

Other R&D units involved in the project

Project keyword(s)

Leishmania; Trypanosomatid; parasite; trypanothione; redox; drug development.

Short abstract and comments

Leishmaniasis is a major health and veterinary concern caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. In order to better understand how these parasites interact with their hosts and to identify new parasite proteins with value as drug targets, we are investigating how these organisms acquire metals and maintain metal homeostasis. One way to achieve this, involves the comparison of parasites grown in normal medium and in media in which a particular metal is in limiting concentrations. This is because metal homeostasis is very regulated and proteins with a major role in the internalization of these nutrients tend to be upregulated only when organisms face metal limitation. In the scope of this project we have identified and characterized the first zinc importer within these parasites. We observed also that this transporter is of high affinity and tightly regulated by zinc.

Potential uses/indications

Potential uses/indications