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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Measurement of Heme Synthesis Levels in Mammalian Cells
09:43

Measurement of Heme Synthesis Levels in Mammalian Cells

Published on: July 9, 2015

Role of heme and heme-proteins in trypanosomatid essential metabolic pathways

Karina E J Tripodi1, Simón M Menendez Bravo, Julia A Cricco

  • 1Departamento de Química Biológica and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR, CONICET-UNR), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK Rosario, Argentina.

Enzyme Research
|May 24, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Trypanosomatids, parasites causing diseases like Chagas, rely on heme proteins for survival. Understanding these heme proteins offers potential targets for new trypanocidal drugs.

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Trypanosomatids cause severe diseases globally, including Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and African trypanosomiasis.
  • These protozoan parasites must adapt to diverse environments throughout their life cycle, necessitating complex survival mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the critical role of heme in essential metabolic pathways of trypanosomatids.
  • To highlight the metabolic functions of heme-proteins, particularly cytochromes, in these organisms.
  • To identify potential targets for developing novel trypanocidal agents.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on heme metabolism and heme-proteins in trypanosomatids.
  • Analysis of annotated cytochrome genes in the Tritryp Genome Project.
  • Discussion of protein functions relevant to parasite survival and drug development.

Main Results:

  • Trypanosomatids utilize heme in vital metabolic processes despite lacking a complete heme biosynthesis pathway.
  • Cytochromes are implicated in crucial functions like mitochondrial respiration, fatty acid metabolism, and sterol biosynthesis.
  • Numerous cytochrome genes are identified, but their encoded proteins remain understudied.

Conclusions:

  • Heme-proteins, especially cytochromes, play indispensable roles in trypanosomatid survival and adaptation.
  • The functions of these under-explored heme-proteins present promising avenues for the rational design of new antiparasitic drugs.
  • Targeting heme-protein functions could lead to effective treatments for debilitating trypanosomatid diseases.

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