Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Measuring Dynamic Glycosomal pH Changes in Living Trypanosoma brucei
Published on: January 19, 2024
The acidocalcisome as a target for chemotherapeutic agents in protozoan parasites
Roberto Docampo1, Silvia N J Moreno
1Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA. rdocampo@uga.edu
Abstract:
Acidocalcisomes are acidic organelles rich in calcium and phosphorus that have been conserved from bacteria to man. In parasitic protozoa acidocalcisomes possess enzymes that are absent or different from their mammalian counterparts and could be potential targets for chemotherapy, such as the vacuolar proton translocating pyrophosphatase, and the soluble inorganic pyrophosphatase, both of which are inhibited by pyrophosphate analogs (bisphosphonates). In addition, a number of drugs, including bisphosphonates, and diamidines appear to accumulate in these organelles and/or induce an increase in their numbers. The mechanism of action of bisphosphonates, however, is by inhibition of the isoprenoid pathway and more specifically the prenyl diphosphate synthases.
More Related Videos
08:48In Vitro Drug Screening Against All Life Cycle Stages of Trypanosoma cruzi Using Parasites Expressing β-galactosidase
Published on: November 5, 2021
09:13Understanding the Development of Compensatory Pathways in a Mutant Malaria Parasite Harbouring Hypomorphic Allele of Plant-Like Kinases
Published on: November 22, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Anthelminthic Agents
Antiprotozoal Agents
Antifungal Agents
Diversity of Protists II
Amebiasis
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia