Quantitative assessment of the glyoxalase pathway in Leishmania infantum as a therapeutic target by modelling and computer simulation

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2005

Authors

silva, ms (Author) Other; ferreira, aen (Author) Other; tomas, am (Author) ICBAS; cordeiro, c (Author) Other; freire, ap (Author) Other

Journal

Title: FEBS Journal

Vol. 272

Pages: 2388-2398

ISSN: 1742-464X

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 29 Citations

Scopus - 32 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Biological sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-3J2

DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2005.04632.x

Abstract (EN): The glyoxalase pathway of Leishmania infantum was kinetically characterized as a trypanothione-dependent system. Using time course analysis based on parameter fitting with a genetic algorithm, kinetic parameters were estimated for both enzymes, with trypanothione derived substrates. A K-m of 0.253 mm and a V of 0.21 μ mol.min(-1).mg(-1) for glyoxalase I, and a K-m of 0.098 mm and a V of 0.18 μ mol.min(-1).mg(-1) for glyoxalase II, were obtained. Modelling and computer simulation were used for evaluating the relevance of the glyoxalase pathway as a potential therapeutic target by revealing the importance of critical parameters of this pathway in Leishmania infantum. A sensitivity analysis of the pathway was performed using experimentally validated kinetic models and experimentally determined metabolite concentrations and kinetic parameters. The measurement of metabolites in L. infantum involved the identification and quantification of methylglyoxal and intracellular thiols. Methylglyoxal formation in L. infantum is nonenzymatic. The sensitivity analysis revealed that the most critical parameters for controlling the intracellular concentration of methylglyoxal are its formation rate and the concentration of trypanothione. Glyoxalase I and II activities play only a minor role in maintaining a low intracellular methylglyoxal concentration. The importance of the glyoxalase pathway as a therapeutic target is very small, compared to the much greater effects caused by decreasing trypanothione concentration or increasing methylglyoxal concentration.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11