Leishmania donovani Parasites Are Inhibited by the Benzoxaborole AN2690 Targeting Leucyl-tRNA Synthetase.

ABSTRACT: Visceral leishmaniasis is an important public health threat in parts of India. It is caused by a protozoan parasite, Leishmania donovani Currently available drugs manifest severe side effects. Hence, there is a need to identify new drug targets and drugs. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, required for protein synthesis, are known drug targets for bacterial and fungal pathogens. The aim of the present study was to obtain essentiality data for Leishmania donovani leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LdLRS) by gene replacement. Gene replacement studies indicate that this enzyme plays an essential role in the viability of this pathogenic organism and appears to be indispensable for its survival in vitro The heterozygous mutant parasites demonstrated a growth deficit and reduced infectivity in mouse macrophages c

SUBMITTER: Manhas R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6125504 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature