Structural and kinetic characterization of Trypanosoma congolense pyruvate kinase

Mol Biochem Parasitol. 2020 Mar:236:111263. doi: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2020.111263. Epub 2020 Feb 19.

Abstract

Trypanosoma are blood-borne parasites and are the causative agents of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affecting both humans and animals. These parasites mainly rely on glycolysis for their energy production within the mammalian host, which is why trypanosomal glycolytic enzymes have been pursued as interesting targets for the development of trypanocidal drugs. The structure-function relationships of pyruvate kinases (PYKs) from trypanosomatids (Trypanosoma and Leishmania) have been well-studied within this context. In this paper, we describe the structural and enzymatic characterization of PYK from T. congolense (TcoPYK), the main causative agent of Animal African Trypanosomosis (AAT), by employing a combination of enzymatic assays, thermal unfolding studies and X-ray crystallography.

Keywords: Enzyme kinetics; Glycolysis; Pyruvate kinase; Trypanosomes; X-ray crystallography.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / parasitology
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Models, Structural
  • Protozoan Proteins / chemistry
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism
  • Pyruvate Kinase* / chemistry
  • Pyruvate Kinase* / metabolism
  • Trypanosoma congolense / metabolism*
  • Trypanosomiasis, African / parasitology

Substances

  • Protozoan Proteins
  • Pyruvate Kinase