作者: Paolo Ascenzi , Luca Salvati , Maurizio Brunori
DOI: 10.1016/S0014-5793(01)02637-0
关键词: Trypanocidal agent 、 Hemoglobin 、 Myoglobin 、 Trypanosoma cruzi 、 Nitric oxide 、 Reductase 、 Intracellular 、 Chagas disease 、 Biochemistry 、 Biology
摘要: The hemoflagellate protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease, a progressive fatal cardiomyopathy widespread in South and Central America. Here, we postulate that preferential colonization cardiomyocytes by T. may reflect role myoglobin (Mb) as nitric oxide (NO) scavenger, protecting from trypanocidal effects NO. proposal this novel function Mb based on knowledge ferrous oxygenated reacts rapidly irreversibly with NO yielding nitrate ferric oxidized Mb, which reduced back to physiologically active form an intracellular reductase. postulated protective viability reminiscent for hemoglobin intraerythrocytic Plasmodia parasiticidal effect