Glycerol kinase of Trypanosoma brucei

Structures of adenosine kinase from Trypanosoma brucei brucei.

Trypanosoma brucei is a single-cellular parasite of the genus Kinetoplastida and is the causative agent of African sleeping sickness in humans. Adenosine kinase is a key enzyme in the purine-salvage pathway, phosphorylating adenosine to AMP, and also activates cytotoxic analogues such as cordycepin and Ara-A by their phosphorylation. The structures of T. brucei brucei adenosine kinase (TbAK) in...

Trypanosoma brucei brucei

Protein synthesis in Trypanosoma brucei brucei was rapidly inhibited during polyamine depletion by DL-adifluoromethylornithine (DFMO) in vitro and in vivo. [3H]Leucine incorporation was depressed 30-40 % by 24 h and 80-90 % by 48 h of DFMO treatment. Concomitantly there was an apparent decrease in the synthesis of the variant-specific glycoprotein (VSG) in DFMO-treated trypanosomes, as measured...

The role of compartmentation and glycerol kinase in the synthesis of ATP within the glycosome of Trypanosoma brucei.

Glycosomes, purified from trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma brucei, contained all the enzymes necessary to convert glucose to alpha-glycerophosphate and 3-phosphoglycerate. The multienzyme reaction which produces 2 alpha-glycerophosphate, 2 ADP, and 2 NAD+ from 1 glucose, 2 ATP, and 2 NADH was studied spectrophotometrically. Intact glycosomes, suspended with 5.6 mM alpha-glycerophosphate and ...

Characterization of a PKA-like kinase from Trypanosoma brucei

Protein isoprenylation in Trypanosoma brucei brucei.

Trypanosoma brucei is a digenetic protozoan parasite presenting a public health hazard in certain areas of Africa; it is transmitted between mammals (bloodstream form (BSF)) by tsetse flies (procyclic form (PCF)). We have an ongoing interest in small GTP proteins in T. brucei, and these are commonly isoprenylated. Many isoprenylated proteins belong to the rab family and include ras; the isopren...