A novel leishmanial copper P-type ATPase plays a vital role in parasite infection and intracellular survival.

ABSTRACT: Copper (Cu) is essential for all life forms; however, in excess, it becomes toxic. Toxic properties of Cu are known to be utilized by host species against various pathogenic invasions. Leishmania, in both free-living and intracellular forms, exhibits appreciable tolerance toward Cu stress. While determining the mechanism of Cu-stress evasion employed by Leishmania, we identified and characterized a hitherto unknown Cu-ATPase in Leishmania major and established its role in parasite survival in host macrophages. This novel L. major Cu-ATPase, LmATP7, exhibits homology with its orthologs at multiple motifs. In promastigotes, LmATP7 primarily localized at the plasma membrane. We also show that LmATP7 exhibits Cu-dependent expression patterns and complements Cu transport in a Cu-ATPase-deficien

SUBMITTER: Paul R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8800121 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature