Optimization of a Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer-Based Assay for Screening of Trypanosoma cruzi Protein/Protein Interaction Inhibitors

MILD, JESICA G.; FERNANDEZ, LUCIA R.; GAYET, ODILE; IOVANNA, JUAN; DUSETTI, NELSON; EDREIRA, MARTIN M.

MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY

HUMANA PRESS INC

Año: 2018 vol. 60 p. 369 - 379

1073-6085

Chagas disease, a parasitic disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is a major public health burden in poor rural populationsof Central and South America and a serious emerging threat outside the endemic region, since the number of infectionsin non-endemic countries continues to rise. In order to develop more efficient anti-trypanosomal treatments to replace theoutdated therapies, new molecular targets need to be explored and new drugs discovered. Trypanosoma cruzi has distinctivestructural and functional characteristics with respect to the human host. These exclusive features could emerge as interestingdrug targets. In this work, essential and differential protein?protein interactions for the parasite, including the ribosomal Pproteins and proteins involved in mRNA processing, were evaluated in a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer-basedassay as a starting point for drug screening. Suitable conditions to consider using this simple and robust methodology toscreening compounds and natural extracts able to inhibit protein?protein interactions were set in living cells and lysates.