Induction of autophagy increases the proteolytic activity of reservosomes during Trypanosoma cruzi metacyclogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Cruzipain, the major cysteine protease of the pathogenic protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi, is an important virulence factor that plays a key role in the parasite nutrition, differentiation and host cell infection. Cruzipain is synthesized as a zymogen, matured, and delivered to reservosomes. These organelles that store proteins and lipids ingested by endocytosis undergo a dramatic decrease in number during the metacyclogenesis of T. cruzi. Autophagy is a process that digests the own cell components to supply energy under starvation or different stress situations. This pathway is important during cell growth, differentiation and death. Previously, we showed that the autophagy pathway of T. cruzi is induced during metacyclogenesis. This work aimed to evaluate the participation

SUBMITTER: Losinno AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8007142 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature