Endocytosis and sphingolipid scavenging in Leishmania mexicana amastigotes

Ali, H. Z., Harding, C. R. and Denny, P. W. (2012) Endocytosis and sphingolipid scavenging in Leishmania mexicana amastigotes. Biochemistry Research International, 2012, 691363. (doi: 10.1155/2012/691363) (PMID:21941657) (PMCID:PMC3177366)

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Abstract

Leishmania species are the causative agents of the leishmaniases, a spectrum of neglected tropical diseases. Amastigote stage parasites exist within macrophages and scavenge host factors for survival, for example, Leishmania species utilise host sphingolipid for synthesis of complex sphingolipid. In this study L. mexicana endocytosis was shown to be significantly upregulated in amastigotes, indicating that sphingolipid scavenging may be enhanced. However, inhibition of host sphingolipid biosynthesis had no significant effect on amastigote proliferation within a macrophage cell line. In addition, infection itself did not directly influence host biosynthesis. Notably, in contrast to L. major, L. mexicana amastigotes are indicated to possess a complete biosynthetic pathway suggesting that scavenged sphingolipids may be nonessential for proliferation. This suggested that Old and New World species differ in their interactions with the macrophage host. This will need to be considered when targeting the Leishmania sphingolipid biosynthetic pathway with novel therapeutics.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Harding, Dr Clare
Authors: Ali, H. Z., Harding, C. R., and Denny, P. W.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Biochemistry Research International
Publisher:Hindawi
ISSN:2090-2247
ISSN (Online):2090-2255
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2012 The Authors
First Published:First published in Biochemistry Research International 2012:691363
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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