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Related Concept Videos

Antibody Structure01:10

Antibody Structure

Overview
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins (Ig), are essential players of the adaptive immune system. These antigen-binding proteins are produced by B cells and make up 20 percent of the total blood plasma by weight. In mammals, antibodies fall into five different classes, which each elicits a different biological response upon antigen binding.
The Y-Shaped Structure of Antibodies Consists of Four Polypeptide Chains
Antibodies consist of four polypeptide chains: two identical heavy...
Lipids as Anchors01:32

Lipids as Anchors

In the plasma membrane, the lipids forming the bilayer can also act as an anchor to tether proteins to the membrane. The three main types of lipid anchors found in eukaryotes are – prenyl groups, fatty acyl groups, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol or GPI groups. Prenyl and fatty acyl groups act as anchors on the cytosolic surface of the membrane, whereas GPI anchors proteins on the extracellular side.
The carboxy-terminal of most of the prenylated proteins, such as Ras proteins, contains the...
Antibody Actions01:26

Antibody Actions

Antibodies, or immunoglobulins, are critical players in the immune system's arsenal against invading pathogens. Produced by B cells and plasma cells, their primary role is to detect and bind to specific antigens, molecules found on the surface of pathogens like bacteria or viruses. Beyond antigen recognition, antibodies perform several vital functions that contribute to immune defense.
Neutralization
Antibodies can bind to pathogens, preventing them from infecting host cells. This process...
Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body01:31

Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body

Fats and lipids are crucial components in the human body. Some lipid-derived compounds, such as fat-soluble vitamins, eicosanoids, lipoproteins, and glycolipids, also play unique roles to support various  biological processes .
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, delayed...
Structure of Lipids03:38

Structure of Lipids

Lipids include a diverse group of compounds that are largely nonpolar in nature. This is because they are hydrocarbons that include mostly nonpolar carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds. Non-polar molecules are hydrophobic (“water fearing”), or insoluble in water. Lipids perform many different functions in a cell. Cells store energy for long-term use in the form of fats. Lipids also provide insulation from the environment for plants and animals. For example, they help keep aquatic birds and...
What are Lipids?01:38

What are Lipids?

Overview

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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Enrichment of Bacterial Lipoproteins and Preparation of N-terminal Lipopeptides for Structural Determination by Mass Spectrometry
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Enrichment of Bacterial Lipoproteins and Preparation of N-terminal Lipopeptides for Structural Determination by Mass Spectrometry

Published on: May 21, 2018

Do long-chain unsaturated fatty acids function as endogenous anti-trypanosomal molecules?

Undurti N Das1

  • 1UND Life Sciences, 13800 Fairhill Road, #321, Shaker Heights, OH 44120, USA.

Medical Hypotheses
|December 8, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Replacing trypanosome myristic acid with unsaturated fatty acids could be a new treatment. Unsaturated fatty acids may kill parasites through peroxidation and other mechanisms, offering a novel approach to managing trypanosomiasis.

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Purification of Extracellular Trypanosomes, Including African, from Blood by Anion-Exchangers (Diethylaminoethyl-cellulose Columns)
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Removal and Replacement of Endogenous Ligands from Lipid-Bound Proteins and Allergens
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Removal and Replacement of Endogenous Ligands from Lipid-Bound Proteins and Allergens

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Enrichment of Bacterial Lipoproteins and Preparation of N-terminal Lipopeptides for Structural Determination by Mass Spectrometry
10:59

Enrichment of Bacterial Lipoproteins and Preparation of N-terminal Lipopeptides for Structural Determination by Mass Spectrometry

Published on: May 21, 2018

Purification of Extracellular Trypanosomes, Including African, from Blood by Anion-Exchangers (Diethylaminoethyl-cellulose Columns)
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Purification of Extracellular Trypanosomes, Including African, from Blood by Anion-Exchangers (Diethylaminoethyl-cellulose Columns)

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Removal and Replacement of Endogenous Ligands from Lipid-Bound Proteins and Allergens
09:09

Removal and Replacement of Endogenous Ligands from Lipid-Bound Proteins and Allergens

Published on: February 24, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Biochemistry
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • Trypanosomiasis is a significant parasitic disease prevalent in Africa and South America.
  • The survival of trypanosomes depends on glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored variant surface glycoprotein (VSG), which contains essential myristate (14:0) fatty acids.
  • Myristate, a saturated fatty acid, is resistant to peroxidation, contributing to parasite survival.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a novel hypothesis for managing trypanosomiasis.
  • To investigate the potential of replacing myristate with unsaturated fatty acids in trypanosome VSG-GPI.
  • To explore unsaturated fatty acids as a new therapeutic strategy against trypanosome infections.

Main Methods:

  • Hypothetical proposal based on the biochemical properties of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.
  • Analysis of the susceptibility of unsaturated fatty acids to peroxidation.
  • Consideration of multiple mechanisms by which unsaturated fatty acids could be toxic to trypanosomes.

Main Results:

  • Replacing myristate with unsaturated fatty acids is hypothesized to render trypanosomes unviable due to increased peroxidation.
  • Unsaturated fatty acids may induce trypanosome death via macrophage activation, reactive oxygen species, calcium influx, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell membrane disruption.
  • The proposed strategy suggests a potential new avenue for treating trypanosomiasis.

Conclusions:

  • The hypothesis suggests that unsaturated fatty acids could be a viable therapeutic agent against trypanosomiasis.
  • This approach may also be applicable to other intracellular parasitic infections.
  • Further research is warranted to validate the efficacy and safety of unsaturated fatty acids in treating parasitic diseases.