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Mitochondrial function in Babesia bovis
M M Gozar1, W J O'Sullivan, A S Bagnara
1School of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia.
International Journal for Parasitology
|April 1, 1992
Summary
Anti-mitochondrial drugs targeting the parasite
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Biochemistry
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Mitochondria are crucial for parasite energy metabolism.
- Anti-mitochondrial drugs show promise against Plasmodium falciparum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of anti-mitochondrial drugs against Babesia bovis.
- To explore the role of the mitochondrion in Babesia bovis pyrimidine biosynthesis.
Main Methods:
- In vitro drug screening against B. bovis.
- Assessing drug toxicity and growth inhibition.
- Measuring [14C]bicarbonate incorporation to study pyrimidine biosynthesis.
Main Results:
- Several anti-mitochondrial drugs effectively inhibited B. bovis growth.
- Ubiquinone analogues, electron transport inhibitors, and an uncoupler inhibited pyrimidine biosynthesis.
- Drugs targeted ATP synthetase, ATP-ADP translocase, electron transport, ubiquinone function, protein synthesis, and proton pumps.
Conclusions:
- Babesia bovis possesses a functional mitochondrion.
- The mitochondrion is vital for de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis and energy metabolism in B. bovis.