Structural and functional analysis of a platelet-activating lysophosphatidylcholine of Trypanosoma cruzi.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of the life-threatening Chagas disease, in which increased platelet aggregation related to myocarditis is observed. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent intercellular lipid mediator and second messenger that exerts its activity through a PAF-specific receptor (PAFR). Previous data from our group suggested that T. cruzi synthesizes a phospholipid with PAF-like activity. The structure of T. cruzi PAF-like molecule, however, remains elusive.

Methodology/principal findings

Here, we have purified and structurally characterized the putative T. cruzi PAF-like molecule by electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). Our ESI-MS/MS data demonstrated that the T. cruzi PAF-like molecule is actually a lysophosph

SUBMITTER: Gazos-Lopes F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4125143 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature