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The Chemistry and Biology of Trypanosomal trans ‐Sialidases: Virulence Factors in Chagas Disease and Sleeping Sickness
Author(s) -
Schauer Roland,
Kamerling Johannis P.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
chembiochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.05
H-Index - 126
eISSN - 1439-7633
pISSN - 1439-4227
DOI - 10.1002/cbic.201100421
Subject(s) - sialidase , biology , trypanosoma , sialic acid , chagas disease , trypanosoma cruzi , trypanosomiasis , virology , trypanosoma brucei , virulence , glycan , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , glycoprotein , neuraminidase , parasite hosting , gene , virus , world wide web , computer science
trans ‐Sialidases constitute a special group of the sialidase family. They occur in some trypanosome species and, in a unique reversible reaction, transfer sialic acids from one glycosidic linkage with galactose (donor) to another galactose (acceptor), to form (α2–3)‐sialyl linkages. Trypanosomes cause such devastating human diseases as Chagas disease in South America ( Trypanosoma cruzi ) or sleeping sickness in Africa ( Trypanosoma brucei ). The trans‐ sialidases strongly contribute to the pathogenicity of the trypanosomes by scavenging sialic acids from the host or blood meal to coat the parasite surface; this aids their survival strategy in the insect′s intestine, and in the blood circulation or cells of the host, and serves to compromise the immune system of the human or animal host. American and African trypanosomes express trans ‐sialidases at different stages of their vector/host development. They are transmitted to humans by insect vectors (tsetse fly or other insect “bug” species). trans ‐Sialidase activity with varying linkage specificity has also been found in a few bacteria species and in human serum. trans ‐Sialidases are of increasing practical importance for the chemo‐enzymatic synthesis of sialylated glycans. The search for appropriate inhibitors of trans ‐sialidases and vaccination strategies is intensifying, as less toxic medicaments for the treatment of these widespread and often chronic tropical diseases are required.