Expression, Characterization and Selective Chemical Inhibition of Essential <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> Tegumental Acetylcholinesterase (SmTAChE).

ABSTRACT: Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease caused by worms of the genus Schistosoma, affects >250 million people worldwide. With no available vaccine, treatment relies solely on one drug-praziquantel-underscoring the urgent need for new therapies. We identified a tegumental, non-neuronal acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from Schistosoma mansoni-SmTAChE-as a promising drug target. RNA interference confirmed its essential role in parasite survival, as gene suppression significantly reduced parasite recovery from infected animals. Here, we produced functionally active recombinant SmTAChE by using a mammalian expression system. Biochemical characterization confirmed its identity as a true acetylcholinesterase, with the highest turnover rate (K_cat = 373 ± 39 s^-1) and ca

SUBMITTER: Skelly PJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11900278 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature