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PubMed1999

Inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase by 4-amino pteridine derivatives: structure-activity relationship of antagonists of (6R)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin cofactor.

The family of nitric oxide synthases (NOS) catalyzes the conversion of L-arginine to L-citrulline and nitric oxide (NO), an important cellular messenger molecule which has been implicated in the pathophysiology of septic shock and inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease states. NOS can be maximally activated by the ubiquitous cofactor, (6R)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (H(4)Bip), and antagonists of H(4)Bip may be of therapeutic importance to inhibit pathologically high NO formation. The 4-amino substituted analogue of H(4)Bip was reported to be a potent NOS inhibitor. Therefore, we developed a series of novel 4-amino pteridine derivatives, anti-pterins, to pharmacologically target the neuronal isoform of nitric oxide synthase (NOS-I). To functionally characterize the pterin/anti-pterin interaction and establish a structure-activity relationship (SAR), we systematically altered the substituents in the 2-, 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-position of the pteridine nucleus. Varying the substitution pattern in the 2-, 5-, and 7-position resulted in no significant inhibitory effect on enzyme activity. In contrast, bulky substituents in the 6-position, such as phenyl, markedly increased the inhibitory potency of the reduced 4-amino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteridines, possibly as a consequence of hydrophobic interactions within NOS-I. However, this was not the case for the aromatic 4-amino pteridines. Interestingly, chemical modification of the 4-amino substituent by dialkyl/diaralkylation together with 6-arylation of the aromatic 2,4-diamino pteridine resulted in potent and efficacious inhibitors of NOS-I, suggesting possible hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions within NOS-I. This SAR agrees with (a) the recently published crystal structure of the oxygenase domain of the inducible NOS isoform (NOS-II) and (b) the comparative molecular field analysis of selected NOS-I inhibitors, which resulted in a 3D-QSAR model of the pterin binding site interactions. Further optimization should be possible when the full length structure of NOS-I becomes available.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The pigments in the dorsal skin of frogs.

The five pigments 1-5 and a colorless substance 6 were present in the dorsal skin of frogs of nine selected species belonging to Rhacophoridae, Ranidae, Hylidae, and Bufonidae and were identified as pterin-6-carboxylic acid, xanthopterin, isoxanthopterin, erythro-biopterin, 6-hydroxymethylpterin, and guanine, respectively. Another pigment 7 was specifically present in the skin of genus Rhacophorus and was deduced to be a pteridine derivative composed of five molecules of pterin-6-carboxylic acid [1].

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Wavelength-dependent induction of a mycosporine-like amino acid in a rice-field cyanobacterium, Nostoc commune: role of inhibitors and salt stress.

Wavelength-dependent induction of a mycosporine-like amino acid (MAA) was studied in a nitrogen-fixing rice-field cyanobacterium, Nostoc commune. HPLC studies showed the presence of shinorine, a bisubstituted MAA containing both glycine and serine groups and having an absorption maximum at 334 nm. Exposure of cultures to simulated solar radiation in combination with various cut-off filters (WG 280, 295, 305, 320, 335, 345, GG 400, 420, 455, 475, OG 515, 530, 570, RG 645, 665; all Schott filter series) clearly indicated that MAAs were induced by UV-B radiation, while UV-A and PAR had very little effect on MAA induction in this organism. The ratio of the absorption at 334 nm (shinorine) to 665 nm (chlorophyll a) and the derived action spectrum also revealed the induction of MAAs to be UV-B dependent with a prominent peak at 290 nm and a second small peak at 310 nm. Various concentrations (50-300 mM) of NaCl were used to test whether another common stress factor, such as osmotic stress, also induces MAAs, as has been reported for other cyanobacterial species. The results indicate that cells grown at high concentration of NaCl but without UV-B did not show any MAA induction. In order to elucidate the possible photoreceptors, the effects of various inhibitors/quenchers on the induction of MAAs were studied. There was a marked reduction in the amount of MAA when the cells were irradiated with UV-B in the presence of inhibitors of the shikimate pathway (glyphosate, 1 mM), photosynthesis [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea, 20 microM], protein synthesis (chloramphenicol, 25 microg ml(-1)), pterin synthesis (N-acetylserotonin, 5 mM, and 2,4-diamino-6-hydroxypyrimidine, 5 mM) and a quencher of the excited state of flavins and pterins (phenylacetic acid, 1 mM).

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1999

Acetylene hydratase of Pelobacter acetylenicus. Molecular and spectroscopic properties of the tungsten iron-sulfur enzyme.

Acetylene hydratase of Pelobacter acetylenicus is a tungsten iron-sulfur protein involved in the fermentation of acetylene to ethanol and acetate. Expression of the enzyme was increased 10-fold by feeding a 50-L batch culture continuously with 104 Pa acetylene at pH 6.8-7.0. Acetylene hydratase was purified to homogeneity by a three-step procedure in either the absence or presence of dioxygen. The enzyme was a monomer with a molecular mass of 73 kDa (SDS/PAGE) or 83 kDa (matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization MS) and contained 0.5 +/- 0.1 W (inductively coupled plasma/MS) and 1.3 +/- 0.1 molybdopterin-guanine dinucleotide per mol. Selenium was absent. EPR spectra (enzyme as isolated, under air) showed a signal typical of a [3Fe-4S] cluster with gav = 2.01, at 10 K. In enzyme prepared under N2/H2, this signal was absent and reaction with dithionite led to a rhombic signal with gz = 2.048, gy = 1.939 and gx = 1.920 indicative of a low-potential ferredoxin-type [4Fe-4S] cluster. Upon oxidation with hexacyanoferrate(III), a new signal appeared with gx = 2.007, gy = 2.019 and gz = 2.048 (gav = 2.022), which disappeared after further oxidation. The signal was still visible at 150 K and was tentatively assigned to a W(V) center. The iron-sulfur center of acetylene hydratase (prepared under N2/H2) gave a midpoint redox potential of -410 +/- 20 mV in a spectrophotometric titration with dithionite. Enzyme activity depended on the redox potential of the solution, with 50% of maximum activity at -340 +/- 20 mV. The presence of a pterin-guanine dinucleotide cofactor differentiates acetylene hydratase from the aldehyde ferredoxin oxidoreductase-type enzymes which have a pterin mononucleotide cofactor.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

PubMed1997

Inactivation of tryptophan hydroxylase by nitric oxide: enhancement by tetrahydrobiopterin.

Tryptophan hydroxylase, the initial and rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin, is inactivated by the nitric oxide generators sodium nitroprusside, diethylamine/nitric oxide complex, and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine. Physiological concentrations of tetrahydrobiopterin, the natural and endogenous cofactor for the hydroxylase, significantly enhance the inactivation of the enzyme caused by each of these nitric oxide generators. The substrate tryptophan does not have this effect. The chemically reduced (tetrahydro-) form of the pterin is required for the enhancement, because neither biopterin nor dihydrobiopterin is effective. The 6S-isomer of tetrahydrobiopterin, which has little cofactor efficacy for tryptophan hydroxylase, does not enhance enzyme inactivation as does the natural 6R-isomer. A number of synthetic, reduced pterins share with tetrahydrobiopterin the ability to enhance nitric oxide-induced inactivation of tryptophan hydroxylase. The tetrahydrobiopterin effect is not prevented by agents known to scavenge hydrogen peroxide, superoxide radicals, peroxynitrite anions, hydroxyl radicals, or singlet oxygen. On the other hand, cysteine partially protects the enzyme from both the nitric oxide-induced inactivation and the combined pterin/nitric oxide-induced inactivation. These results suggest that the tetrahydrobiopterin cofactor enhances the nitric oxide-induced inactivation of tryptophan hydroxylase via a mechanism that involves attack on free protein sulfhydryls. Potential in vivo correlates of a tetrahydrobiopterin participation in the inactivation of tryptophan hydroxylase can be drawn to the neurotoxic amphetamines.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Conversion of 6-substituted tetrahydropterins to 7-isomers via phenylalanine hydroxylase-generated intermediates.

A new variant form of hyperphenylalaninemia has recently been discovered in which the patients characteristically excrete 7-biopterin in their urines in addition to the natural 6-biopterin (Curtius, H. Ch., Kuster, T., Matasovic, A., Blau, N. & Dhondt, J.-L. (1988) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 153, 715-721). This isomer had not been found previously in humans, and although its origin was not established, preliminary evidence suggested that it might be produced from 6-biopterin. We have now found that 7-biopterin can be formed in vitro from (6R)-tetrahydrobiopterin during the hydroxylation of phenylalanine catalyzed by phenylalanine hydroxylase [L-phenylalanine, tetrahydrobiopterin:oxygen oxidoreductase (4-hydroxylating), EC 1.14.16.1]. The resulting 7-biopterin was unequivocally identified by the following criteria: preparative isolation and conversion to 7-hydroxymethylpterin following periodate oxidation and borohydride reduction, quantitative conversion to pterin-7-carboxylic acid after oxidation with permanganate, and liquid chromatography/thermospray mass spectrometry. Addition of 4a-carbinolamine dehydratase, an enzyme involved in the regeneration of tetrahydrobiopterin from the pterin carbinolamine intermediate (also called 4a-hydroxytetrahydrobiopterin) formed in the phenylalanine hydroxylase reaction, greatly decreased the amount of the 7-biopterin formed. This result implies that the in vitro formation of 7-biopterin occurs via the nonenzymatic rearrangement of the unstable substrate of the dehydratase, 4a-hydroxytetrahydrobiopterin, and suggests that this new variant of hyperphenylalaninemia may be caused by a lack of 4a-carbinolamine dehydratase activity. A mechanism for the rearrangement is proposed that predicts that other 6-substituted tetrahydropterin substrates of the aromatic amino acid hydroxylases could also give rise to rearranged products from an opening of the pyrazine ring of the corresponding 4a-hydroxytetrahydropterin intermediate.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Studies on the enzymatic and transcriptional activity of the dimerization cofactor for hepatocyte nuclear factor 1.

The relationship between the enzymatic and the transcriptional activity of the bifunctional protein pterin-4a-carbinolamine dehydratase/dimerization cofactor for hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 (DCoH) has been elucidated by site-directed mutagenesis. DCoH dimers harbor a binding site for hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 (HNF1), two active centers that bind pterins, and a saddle-shaped surface that resembles nucleic acid binding domains. Two domains of the protein have been selectively targeted to determine if a change in one activity affects the other. No strong correlation has been found, supporting the idea that carbinolamine dehydratase activity is not required for HNF1 binding in vitro or transcriptional coactivation in vivo. Double mutations in the active center, however, influence the in vivo transcriptional activity but not HNF1 binding. This finding suggests that some active center residues also are used during transcription, possibly for binding of another (macro)molecule. Several mutations in the saddle led to a surprising increase in transcription, therefore linking this domain to transcriptional regulation as well. The transcriptional function of DCoH therefore is composed of two parts, HNF1 binding and another contributing effect that involves the active site and, indirectly, the saddle.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Dynamic regulation of the inducible nitric-oxide synthase by NO: comparison with the endothelial isoform.

We studied by ultrafast time-resolved absorption spectroscopy the geminate recombination of NO to the oxygenase domain of the inducible NO synthase, iNOSoxy, and to mutated proteins at position Trp-457. This tryptophan interacts with the tetrahydrobiopterin cofactor BH4, and W457A/F mutations largely reduced the catalytic formation of NO. BH4 decreases the rate of NO rebinding to the ferric iNOSoxy compared with that measured in its absence. The pterin has a larger effect on W457A/F than on the WT protein by increasing NO release from the protein. Therefore, BH4 raises the energy barrier for NO recombination to the mutated proteins in contrast with our observations on eNOS (Slama-Schwok, A., Négrerie, M., Berka, V., Lambry, J.-C., Tsai, A.-L., Vos, M., and Martin, J.-L. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 7581-7586). Thus, we show a differential effect of BH4 on NO release from eNOS and iNOS. Compared with the position of this residue in the BH4-repleted enzyme, simulations of the NO dissociation dynamics point out at a swing of Trp-457 toward the missing pterin in the absence of BH4. NO geminate-rebinding data show a more efficient NO release from eNOS than from iNOS once NO is formed. Consistently, NO produced by iNOS is regulated by its ferric nitrosyl complex in contrast with eNOS. We show that the small enhancement of the NO geminate recombination rate in W457A/F compared with that in the WT enzyme cannot explain the decrease of NO yield because of the mutation; the major effect of the mutation thus arises from an uncoupled catalysis (Wang, Z. Q., Wei, C. C., Ghosh, S., Meade, A. L., Hemann, C., Hille, R., and Stuehr, D. J. (2001) Biochemistry 40, 12819-12825).

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1990

Production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody against neopterin.

We have produced and characterized the first monoclonal antibody against neopterin (D-erythro-6-(1,2,3,-trihydroxypropyl)pterin). The antibody specifically recognizes neopterin in a modified RIA. The binding capacity in this assay is 34%, the sensitivity limit of inhibition is 0.9 nmol/l. Cross-reactivity exists with monapterin (L-threo(1,2,3,trihydroxypropyl)pterin) in 30%, with other pteridines cross-reactivity has been found in less than 5%.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Sequence motif-specific assignment of two [2Fe-2S] clusters in rat xanthine oxidoreductase studied by site-directed mutagenesis.

The sequence motif-specific assignment of the two distinct [2Fe-2S] clusters in rat xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) was unequivocally established by site-directed mutagenesis of recombinant enzymes expressed in a baculovirus-insect cell system and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The conserved cysteine residues, including Cys-115, in the unusual C-terminal -Cys-Xaa(2)-Cys-//-Cys-Xaa(1)-Cys- motif serve as ligands to the Fe/S I center, which is probably located in close proximity to the Mo-pterin center. Other conserved cysteine residues, including Cys-43 and Cys-51, in the N-terminal plant ferredoxin-like motif serve as ligands to the Fe/S II center, which is distantly located from the Mo-pterin center. The present sequence motif-specific assignment of the Fe/S I and II centers is discussed in the light of the structural features of XOR.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1993

Characterization of genes involved in molybdenum transport in Azotobacter vinelandii.

Expression of alternative nitrogenases in Azotobacter vinelandii is repressed by molybdenum. Two strains with Tn5 insertion mutations showed alternative nitrogenase-dependent diazotrophic growth in the presence of Mo. The mutations were in a region which contained four open reading frames (ORFs 1-4). The genetic structure and predicted products of ORFs 2, 3 and 4 are typical of the membrane-associated elements of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily of transport systems. The products of ORF3 and ORF4 are homologous with the products of the Escherichia coli genes chlD and the partially sequenced chlJ, respectively, both of which are implicated in molybdenum transport. ORF1, which is in the relative position of bacterial permease genes commonly specifying periplasmic binding proteins, encodes a 29 kDa protein with a novel primary structure. It lacks a potential signal sequence, and its C-terminal half consists of a tandem repeat of a segment which is homologous with the M(r) 7 kDa molybdenum-pterin binding protein Mop from Clostridium pasteurianum. This suggests that a substituted pterin may be involved in the initial capture or early metabolism of molybdenum.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2006

Structure and reactivity of Trypanosoma brucei pteridine reductase: inhibition by the archetypal antifolate methotrexate.

The protozoan Trypanosoma brucei has a functional pteridine reductase (TbPTR1), an NADPH-dependent short-chain reductase that participates in the salvage of pterins, which are essential for parasite growth. PTR1 displays broad-spectrum activity with pterins and folates, provides a metabolic bypass for inhibition of the trypanosomatid dihydrofolate reductase and therefore compromises the use of antifolates for treatment of trypanosomiasis. Catalytic properties of recombinant TbPTR1 and inhibition by the archetypal antifolate methotrexate have been characterized and the crystal structure of the ternary complex with cofactor NADP+ and the inhibitor determined at 2.2 A resolution. This enzyme shares 50% amino acid sequence identity with Leishmania major PTR1 (LmPTR1) and comparisons show that the architecture of the cofactor binding site, and the catalytic centre are highly conserved, as are most interactions with the inhibitor. However, specific amino acid differences, in particular the placement of Trp221 at the side of the active site, and adjustment of the beta6-alpha6 loop and alpha6 helix at one side of the substrate-binding cleft significantly reduce the size of the substrate binding site of TbPTR1 and alter the chemical properties compared with LmPTR1. A reactive Cys168, within the active site cleft, in conjunction with the C-terminus carboxyl group and His267 of a partner subunit forms a triad similar to the catalytic component of cysteine proteases. TbPTR1 therefore offers novel structural features to exploit in the search for inhibitors of therapeutic value against African trypanosomiasis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1987

Inactivation of dihydropteridine reductase (human brain) by platinum(II) complexes.

Potassium tetrachloroplatinate (K2PtCl4) inactivates dihydropteridine reductase from human brain in a time-dependent and irreversible manner. The inactivation has been followed by measuring enzyme activity and fluorescence changes. The enzyme is completely protected from inactivation by NADH, the pterin cofactor [quinonoid 6-methyl-7,8-dihydro(6H)pterin] and dithiothreitol. Evidence is presented that K2PtCl4 reacts at the active site and that (a) thiol group(s) is involved in, or is masked by, this reaction. K2PtCl4 is a stronger inhibitor of human brain dihydropteridine reductase that cis- and trans-diaminodichloroplatinum, cis-dichloro[ethylenediamine]platinum and K4Fe(CN)6, whereas H2PtCl6 is considerably weaker and (Ph3P)3RhCl is inactive.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1991

EPR and 1H-NMR spectroscopic studies on the paramagnetic iron at the active site of phenylalanine hydroxylase and its interaction with substrates and inhibitors.

The paramagnetic iron at the active site of highly purified, catalytically active phenylalanine hydroxylase was studied by EPR at 3.6 K and one-dimensional 1H-NMR spectroscopy at 293 K. The EPR-detectable iron of the bovine enzyme was found to be present as a high-spin form (S = 5/2) in different ligand field symmetries depending on medium conditions (buffer ions) and the presence of ligands known to bind at the active site. At 3.6 K and in phosphate buffer, the paramagnetic iron is coordinated in an environment of rhombic symmetry (g = 4.3), whereas Tris buffer favours an environment of axial ligand field symmetry (g = 6.7, 5.3 and 2.0). The latter axial type of signals resembles those observed at g = 7.0, 5.2 and 1.9 for the enzyme in phosphate buffer when L-noradrenaline is added as an active-site ligand (inhibitor). The same proportion of iron that coordinates to L-noradrenaline seems to be reduced by the pterin cofactor and participate in catalysis. Experimental evidence is presented that Tris inhibits the enzyme by interacting with the enzyme-bound ferric iron and decreases its rate of reduction by the tetrahydropterin cofactor. Preincubation with dithiothreitol also inhibits the enzyme activity and prevents the reduction of its catalytically active ferric iron by pterin cofactors as well as binding of catecholamines to the enzyme. 1H-NMR spectroscopy revealed that the substrate (L-phenylalanine) and L-noradrenaline bind close to the paramagnetic iron, and that the catecholamine displaces the substrate from its binding at the active site. The results support our recently proposed model for the cooperative binding of inhibitor and substrate at the active site [Martínez, A. et al. (1990) Eur. J. Biochem. 193, 211-219].

Animals↗

PubMed1981

Effect of cyclic AMP-dependent protein phosphorylating conditions on the pH-dependent activity of tyrosine hydroxylase from beef and rat striata.

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH, EC 1.14.16.2) from beef brain striata was purified 23-fold from an extract of an acetone powder. If this enzyme preparation is treated with a cyclic AMP[-dependent protein phosphorylation system, there is a change in the pH dependence of the enzyme activity. The pH optimum at saturating tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) concentration is shifted from below pH 6 to about pH 6.7. At pH 7, activation is expressed mainly as an increase in Vmax, whereas at pH 6, activation is expressed mainly as a decrease in Km for the pterin cofactor. Further, even with the control enzyme the Km for pterin cofactor declines precipitously as the pH is increased from 6 toward neutrality. Similar data were obtained with G-25 Sephadex-treated rat striatal TH. Experiments in which rat striatal synaptosomes were used demonstrated that the in situ activation of TH by phosphorylating conditions is expressed primarily as an increase in the maximum rate of dopamine synthesis. These results indicate that changes in TH activity caused by cyclic AMP-dependent protein phosphorylation will depend to a large extent on the pH of the TH environment.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Is dopamine-induced inhibition of adenylate cyclase involved in the autoreceptor-mediated negative control of tyrosine hydroxylase in striatal dopaminergic terminals?

The mechanism of the negative control of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity induced by the stimulation of presynaptic 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine (dopamine, DA) autoreceptors was investigated using rat striatal slices and synaptosomes incubated under control ([ K+] = 4.8 mM) or depolarizing ([ K+] = 60 mM) conditions. The stimulation of DA autoreceptors by 7-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (1 microM 7-OH-DPAT) produced a significant decrease in TH activity extracted from striatal slices maintained under control conditions. This effect was associated with the complete conversion of TH into an enzyme form with a low affinity for its pterin cofactor (Km approximately 0.80 mM). Furthermore, compared to TH extracted from control tissues, that from 7-OH-DPAT-exposed striatal slices was more sensitive to the stimulatory effects of exogenous heparin and cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation. Such changes were opposite to those induced by incubating striatal slices with the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin. Indeed, forskolin treatment completely converted TH into an enzyme form with a high affinity for its pterin cofactor (Km approximately 0.16 mM). Such conversion was associated with a shift in the optimal pH for TH activity from 5.8 (control) to 7.2 (forskolin). Under depolarizing conditions, the blockade by (-)-sulpiride of the stimulation of DA autoreceptors by endogenous DA was associated with a marked activation of TH. Modifications of enzymatic characteristics triggered by (-)-sulpiride were then similar to those induced by forskolin treatment. These data suggest that presynaptic DA autoreceptors modulate the activity of TH by controlling the degree of cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation of the enzyme.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗

PubMed1996

Crystal structure of DMSO reductase: redox-linked changes in molybdopterin coordination.

The molybdoenzyme dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) reductase contributes to the release of dimethylsulfide, a compound that has been implicated in cloud nucleation and global climate regulation. The crystal structure of DMSO reductase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides reveals a monooxo molybdenum cofactor containing two molybdopterin guanine dinucleotides that asymmetrically coordinate the molybdenum through their dithiolene groups. One of the pterins exhibits different coordination modes to the molybdenum between the oxidized and reduced states, whereas the side chain oxygen of Ser147 coordinates the metal in both states. The change in pterin coordination between the Mo(VI) and Mo(IV) forms suggests a mechanism for substrate binding and reduction by this enzyme. Sequence comparisons of DMSO reductase with a family of bacterial oxotransferases containing molybdopterin guanine dinucleotide indicate a similar polypeptide fold and active site with two molybdopterins within this family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Reduced infectivity of a Leishmania donovani biopterin transporter genetic mutant and its use as an attenuated strain for vaccination.

Pterins are essential for the growth of Leishmania species, and recent work has led to the isolation of the biopterin transporter BT1. In this study, we inactivated the Leishmania donovani biopterin transporter BT1 by gene disruption mediated by homologous recombination. No transport of biopterin was detected in this mutant. The L. donovani BT1 null mutant showed a much lesser capacity for inducing infection in mice than wild-type parasites and could elicit protective immunity in mice susceptible to infection against a L. donovani challenge. Splenocytes isolated from mice immunized with the BT1 null mutant parasites produced significant amounts of interferon gamma following stimulation with L. donovani promastigotes as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and enzyme-linked immunospot assays. Overall, these results show that by genetically manipulating the pterin transport in L. donovani, it is possible to generate an attenuated organism that could be part of a vaccination strategy.

Animals↗