Benznidazole-resistance in Trypanosoma cruzi is a readily acquired trait that can arise independently in a single population.

ABSTRACT: Benznidazole is the frontline drug used against Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. However, treatment failures are often reported. Here, we demonstrate that independently acquired mutations in the gene encoding a mitochondrial nitroreductase (TcNTR) can give rise to distinct drug-resistant clones within a single population. Following selection of benznidazole-resistant parasites, all clones examined had lost one of the chromosomes containing the TcNTR gene. Sequence analysis of the remaining TcNTR allele revealed 3 distinct mutant genes in different resistant clones. Expression studies showed that these mutant proteins were unable to activate benznidazole. This correlated with loss of flavin mononucleotide binding. The drug-resistant phenotype could be reversed by tr

SUBMITTER: Mejia AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3379838 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature