Lysosomal phospholipase A1 in Trypanosoma cruzi: an enzyme with a possible role in the pathogenesis of Chagas’ disease

WAINSZELBAUM, M.; ISOLA, E.; WILKOWSKY, S.; CANNATA, J.B.; FLORIN-CHRISTENSEN, J.; JACOBSEN FLORIN-CHRISTENSEN, M.

BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL

PORTLAND PRESS LTD

Año: 2001 vol. 355 p. 765 - 770

0264-6021

We found that, as in African trypanosomes, endogenous phospholipase A(1) (Plase A(1)) activity can catalyse extensive deacylation of phospholipids upon cell death in all life stages of Trypanosoma cruzi. A major lysosomal Plase A(1) was purified and characterized. The enzyme products can explain the lesions surrounding degenerating T. cruzi cells in host tissues. Thus Plase A(1) emerges as a target to block pathogenesis in trypanosomal infections.