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PubMed2001

Chemotherapeutic approaches to protozoa: Giardia, Trichomonas and Entamoeba--current level of knowledge and outlook.

The situation regarding the treatment of human Giardia and Trichomonas infections and the intestinal and tissue stages of Entamoeba histolytica with metronidazole and other 5-nitroimidazoles is currently satisfactory (Table 1; Mehlhorn 2000). Following correct and rapid diagnosis, the parasites are eliminated reliably and completely. The situation in cases of infection with Acanthamoeba (often involving the eyes) or with Naegleria (often involving the brain) is serious, however. In both cases, there is no drug of choice available. Treatment consists of relieving the symptoms and/or preventing local degeneration.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Involvement of dsRNA virus in the protein composition and growth kinetics of host Trichomonas vaginalis.

Trichomonas vaginalis harbors a double-stranded (ds)-RNA virus, and the presence of virus is related to upregulated expression and phenotypic variation of a prominent immunogen (Khoshnan A, Alderete JF (1994) J Virol 68: 4035-4038). To further test the influence of virus on T. vaginalis, virus-infected (V+) isolates were compared to virus-free (V-), agar-cloned progeny trichomonads derived from the parental isolates for accumulation of total proteins and cysteine proteinases. Comparative high resolution two dimensional (2D)-SDS-PAGE was performed of trichomonads grown in a chemostat under identical conditions. At least 47 proteins were identified as specifically expressed by representative V+ isolate 347, and approximately 41 spots were specific to the corresponding V- progeny, showing an association between virus and the presence and absence of parasite proteins. Qualitatively and quantitatively dissimilar cysteine proteinase patterns were detected from numerous V+ isolates and the V- progeny. A 2D analysis for isolate 347 showed the appearance of unique proteinase activities for parental parasites and presence of at least one proteinase in the V- progeny. Finally, the V+ T. vaginalis isolate 347, but not the V- isolate 347 progeny nor other V+ isolates, underwent fluctuations in density during chemostat growth allowing for purification of virus particles from the V+ isolate 347 supernatants during decreased parasite density.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Characterization of Trichomonas vaginalis virus proteins in the pathogenic protozoan T. vaginalis.

The 4.6-kb double-stranded (ds) RNA of Trichomonas vaginalis virus (TVV)-T1 has been shown to encode two overlapping genes, cap and pol. In this study, a serum for specifically detecting viral cap gene product was raised against a recombinant protein, and sera for specifically detecting pol gene product were raised against synthetic oligopeptides. A 75-kDa major protein and a 160-kDa minor protein were detected by anti-CAP serum in a TVV-T1 sample, indicating that the 75-kDa protein is the viral capsid protein. The 160-kDa protein alone was also detected by two distinct anti-POL sera, indicating that the pol gene is expressed as a CAP-POL fusion protein. These results suggest that the TVV-T1 genome is arranged into a cap-pol organization in a manner similar to that of viruses in family Totiviridae.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Determination of estrogen and androgen receptors in Trichomonas vaginalis and the effects of antihormones.

Trichomonas vaginalis, a common genital pathogen, was found to possess both specific estrogen and specific androgen receptors. These 4.3 S macromolecules were proteinaceous in nature. Both metronidazole-resistant and metronidazole-sensitive strains possessed both types of sex hormone-binding proteins. The estrogen receptor binding was competitively inhibited by the antiestrogen tamoxifen citrate, and the androgen binding was competitively inhibited by the antiandrogen cyoctol. The presence of these specific receptors may allow the use of hormonal and antihormonal manipulation in the treatment of infections caused by these organisms.

Androgen Antagonists↗
PubMed1991

Degradation of collagen types I, III, IV and V by extracellular proteinases of an oral flagellate Trichomonas tenax.

Proteinases secreted by an axenic strain of Trichomonas tenax were active against native types I, III, IV and V collagens when evaluated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Degradation of all four collagen types was temperature dependent. Basement membrane type IV collagen was digested most effectively. An inhibition of all collagenolytic activities by a specific inhibitor of cysteine proteinases, E-64, and activation by a reducing agent, dithiothreitol, indicated the involvement of cysteine proteinases of the oral flagellate in the cleavage of collagen.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Cell-associated and extracellular proteolytic activity of an oral flagellate, Trichomonas tenax.

Proteolytic activities in crude extracts and culture filtrates from Trichomonas tenax were determined using hide powder azure as substrate and the proteinase profiles in both samples were analysed in SDS-polyacrylamide gels containing copolymerized gelatin. The enzyme activity in the crude extract was detected over a broad pH range and was strongly activated by dithiothreitol, mainly in the pH range 5-8, and inhibited by cysteine proteinase inhibitors. Extracellular enzyme activity in culture filtrates was SH-dependent and increased continuously during incubation of the cell suspension, suggesting proteinase release. A total of seven distinct proteolytic bands could be detected in crude preparations. Three of these, with apparent Mr values 35,000, 45,000 and 56,000 and a pH optimum of 4-7, were SH-dependent and their inhibitory sensitivities were characteristic for cysteine proteinases. The 45,000 and 56,000 proteinases probably corresponded to those found in the culture filtrates. Proteolytic bands with apparent Mr 76,000, 87,000, 102,000 and 270,000 and pH optima in the alkaline region, pH 8-9, were independent of SH groups and were inhibited by a chelating agent EDTA, suggesting that they belong to the metalloproteinase family.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Hydrogenosomal succinate thiokinase in Tritrichomonas foetus and Trichomonas vaginalis.

Succinate thiokinase displays a diversity of nucleotide specificity and molecular size throughout Nature. Eukaryotes and Gram-positive bacteria possess distinct 'small' (dimeric) thiokinase enzymes which are specific for adenine (ADP) or guanine (GDP) nucleotides, whereas Gram-negative bacteria contain a single 'large' (tetrameric) enzyme which utilizes both nucleotides. Succinate thiokinase activities, both ADP- and GDP-dependent, were shown to be hydrogenosomal in Tritrichomonas foetus and Trichomonas vaginalis. Surprisingly, the 'small' enzyme was found in T. foetus whereas T. vaginalis contained a 'large' enzyme.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1986

Ferredoxin-dependent reduction of nitroimidazole derivatives in drug-resistant and susceptible strains of Trichomonas vaginalis.

The inhibitory effect of a range of nitroimidazole-derivatives on H2 production by metronidazole resistant (CDC-85) and susceptible (C1-NIH) Trichomonas vaginalis strains was investigated. The 2-, 4-, and 5-nitro-derivatives used had one-electron reduction potentials within the range -250 to -525 mV. Nitroimidazole concentrations giving 50% inhibition of H2 production (kiH2) for compounds with one-electron reduction potentials in the range -250 to -425 mV were found to be similar for both strains tested. Compounds with one-electron reduction potentials below -425 mV give 10-fold higher KiH2 values for the metronidazole resistant isolate. Both strains showed increased KiH2 for compounds with potentials lower than -500 mV. The addition of 2.1 kPa (0.02 atm) O2 to the gas phase resulted in increasing the kiH2 values for all the compounds tested, but had the greater effect on results obtained with the resistant isolate using nitroimidazoles in the range -425 to -490 mV. The results enable the proposal that the resistant isolate CDC-85 has a ferredoxin with altered redox properties or reduced intracellular levels.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Inhibition of Trichomonas vaginalis ornithine decarboxylase by amino acid analogs.

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) from Trichomonas vaginalis was inhibited irreversibly by several substrate analogs. Of these, DL-alpha-monofluoromethyldehydroornithine (MFMDO) and DL-alpha-monofluoromethylornithine (MFMO) were the most potent. The enzyme was unaffected by putrescine analogs suggesting that differences exist between the regulation of the trichomonad enzyme and that in other eukaryotes. In culture the ornithine analogs strongly inhibited putrescine synthesis and increased the generation time after 24 hr of exposure. In a semi-defined growth medium MFMDO methyl and ethyl esters increased the generation time from 4.5 hr to 9.0 and 8.2 hr, respectively. In standard undefined growth medium the trichomonad ODC was fully induced only after 15 hr (late log) and had an extended half-life of greater than 8 hr.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1984

Trichomonas vaginalis, Tritrichomonas foetus, and Trichomitus batrachorum: comparative proteolytic activity.

At least four proteolytic activities were detected in the lysates of each of Trichomonas vaginalis, Tritrichomonas foetus, and Trichomitus batrachorum. These were HPAase, a dithiothreitol-dependent activity on hide powder azure; AZCase, a dithiothreitol-dependent activity on azocasein; and two distinct activities towards peptide nitroanilide derivatives--one was optimally active at pH 7 and stimulated by dithiothreitol; the other had no dithiothreitol requirement and was highly active at pH 5. HPAase and AZCase were active over a broad pH range. Overall, with respect to these four activities, T. batrachorum and T. vaginalis were quite similar. In contrast, T. vaginalis and T. foetus differed from one another in several respects, notably the level of HPAase activity and the properties of the dithiothreitol-independent activity. Multiple bands of proteinase activity were demonstrated with each species after electrophoresis of parasite extracts on polyacrylamide gels containing denatured haemoglobin. They appeared optimally at acid pH and in the presence of dithiothreitol. The proteinase band patterns of T. foetus were similarly complex (at least six bands), whereas T. batrachorum gave a much simpler pattern (three bands). The sensitivities to proteinase inhibitors suggested that all the activities were due to cysteine proteinases. The results show that there are some similarities in the proteolytic activities of all three trichomonad species, and that the two parasites of the urinogenital tracts of mammals possess additional features in common.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Trichomonas vaginalis: electrophoretic analysis and heterogeneity among isolates due to high-molecular-weight trichomonad proteins.

The protein composition of Trichomonas vaginalis isolates was evaluated using one-dimensional and two-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. At least two hundred intrinsically labeled and about 30 major extrinsically labeled proteins of molecular weights less than 120,000 were resolved by isoelectric focusing and electrophoresis. In general, long-term grown and fresh isolates of T. vaginalis gave similar fluorograms of the readily detectable proteins. Only a minor variance in a distinct protein was noted among three of the four fresh isolated tested. Labeling with [35S]methionine or 3H-amino acids gave almost identical profiles, ensuring the efficient radiolabeling of trichomonad proteins that dominate quantitatively. Comparative analysis of radioactivity profiles of one-dimensional gels emphasizing the region of high-molecular-weight proteins known to reside in low copy number revealed the presence or absence of the internally synthesized proteins from surfaces of T. vaginalis isolates. Finally, immunoblotting of two-dimensional gels demonstrated the highly immunogenic nature of proteins corresponding to quantitatively dominant molecular weight regions of intrinsically labeled proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Trichomonas species: homocysteine desulphurase and serine sulphydrase activities.

Homocysteine desulphurase (EC 4.4.1.2) and serine sulphydrase (EC 4.2.1.22) activities in various lines of Trichomonas vaginalis, both metronidazole resistant and sensitive, and other trichomonad species were assessed. T. vaginalis contained the highest homocysteine desulphurase and serine sulphydrase activities of all the species. Although the levels of the enzyme activity in T. vaginalis isolates differed, no correlation between the activities and sensitivity to metronidazole was apparent. T. vaginalis homocysteine desulphurase catalysed both the hydrolysis of homocysteine to hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, and 2-oxoacid, and an exchange reaction between homocysteine and 2-mercaptoethanol. Homocysteine desulphurase was detected as a single enzyme band on isoelectric focusing, whereas several isoenzymes of serine sulphydrase were found. There were large differences in serine sulphydrase isoenzyme patterns between T. vaginalis lines and between species. Several isoenzymes were amplified in cells grown with 10(-5) M DL-propargylglycine for 24 hr. T. vaginalis homocysteine desulphurase and serine sulphydrase activities were inhibited by bithionol, hexachlorophene, and dichlorophene. These compounds also inhibited growth in vitro of T. vaginalis at concentrations similar to those that inhibited the enzymes.

Alkynes↗
PubMed1988

Trichomonas vaginalis: characterization of its glutamate dehydrogenase.

An NADP-linked glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.4) was found in the soluble fraction of Trichomonas vaginalis. Its molecular weight was about 230,000 (gel filtration). The enzyme, partially purified by diafiltration and hydroxyapatite column chromatography, was heat stable (1 hr at 57 C). It catalyzed both the amination of alpha-ketoglutarate (mean Km 0.6 mM) and the deamination of glutamate (mean Km 1.2 mM) The optimum pH of the amination reaction was 6.7, and that of the deamination reaction was 8. Glutamate was a competitive inhibitor of the amination reaction (mean Ki 5.6 mM) and alpha-ketoglutarate a partially competitive inhibitor of the deamination reaction (mean Ki 0.45 mM). Both guanosine and inosine diphosphates (1 mM) increased the Km alpha-ketoglutarate fivefold (mean Ki's 0.3 and 0.4 mM, respectively). Guanosine diphosphate reduced the Km glutamate 40%. Adenosine di- and triphosphate (1 mM) were ineffective. Because the amination reaction displayed substrate inhibition, guanosine and inosine diphosphates were potent natural inhibitors, and ammonia released by deamination reactions would tend to raise pH (amination operative at acid pH), we hypothesize that the deamination reaction may predominate in the living organism.

Amination↗
PubMed1984

Pyrimidine metabolism in Trichomonas vaginalis.

Pyrimidine metabolism in Trichomonas vaginalis was investigated using washed cell suspensions of the organism with radiolabelled pyrimidine ring precursors and preformed pyrimidines. The precursors [14C]orotate, [14C]bicarbonate and [14C]aspartate were not incorporated into the pyrimidine bases of trichomonal nucleic acids, indicating that the protozoan is unable to synthesise the pyrimidine ring and is dependent on the salvage of exogenous pyrimidines. [3H]uracil, [3H]uridine, [3H]cytidine, deoxy[3H]cytidine and [3H]thymidine were all efficiently salvaged, and interconversion between cytosine and uracil nucleotides was detected. Thymidylate synthase activity was not detected, suggesting that T. vaginalis is dependent upon an exogenous supply of thymidine for TMP synthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

13C-NMR reveals glycerol as an unexpected major metabolite of the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis.

13C-NMR has been used to study the kinetics of the formation of metabolites from [1-13C]glucose in intact cells of Trichomonas vaginalis during anaerobic incubation. As well as the expected metabolites lactate and acetate, this technique revealed glycerol as an additional major product, present in amounts equimolar with acetate. The formation of glycerol is readily explained in terms of the need to maintain redox balance. This protozoan now joins the small group of organisms which are known to produce glycerol as a result of normal metabolic activities.

Acetates↗
PubMed1993

Evidence for an [Fe]-type hydrogenase in the parasitic protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis.

The hydrogenase of the pathogenic protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis was extracted and partially purified. The catalytic and spectroscopic properties of the enzyme indicate that it belongs to the class of [Fe]-hydrogenases, rather than the [NiFe]-hydrogenases. The hydrogenase activity was highly sensitive to carbon monoxide, 50% inhibition being attained by 1 microM CO. The EPR spectrum of the most active fractions from chromatography, after reduction by hydrogen and partial reoxidation under argon, showed an EPR spectrum at g = 2.10, 2.04, 2.00. This unusual spectrum is characteristic of the 'H-cluster', as seen in [Fe]-hydrogenases of anaerobic bacteria such as Clostridium spp.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

A cytopathic effect of Trichomonas vaginalis probably mediated by a mannose/N-acetyl-glucosamine binding lectin.

The pathogenic effect of a highly pathogenic strain of Trichomonas vaginalis on McCoy cell monolayers was investigated. Specific inhibition of the cytopathic effect by monosaccharides, such as N-acetyl-glucosamine (GlcNAc) and mannose (Man), was observed. Our preliminary results suggest that the pathogenicity of T. vaginalis depends on a lectin specifically sensitive to GlcNAc and to a lesser extent to Man. Although N-acetyl-mannosamine was found to be the most efficient inhibitor, this effect seems to be unrelated to the natural biological behaviour of the infested host.

Acetylglucosamine↗
PubMed1994

Evaluation of the effects of albendazole and metronidazole on the ultrastructure of Giardia duodenalis, Trichomonas vaginalis and Spironucleus muris using transmission electron microscopy.

The three closely related parasitic protozoa, Giardia duodenalis, Trichomonas vaginalis and Spironucleus muris, all have very different sensitivities to albendazole and metronidazole. Ultrastructural studies reveal that the cytoskeletal elements of the ventral disk in G. duodenalis are affected by albendazole, whereas the other two parasites, neither of which possess this structure, are not affected by albendazole to the same extent. This suggests that albendazole may be having its primary affect on G. duodenalis by binding to cytoskeletal proteins and ultimately causing death of the parasite. Death may be occurring as the parasite loses its ability to adhere to the intestinal villi and obtain nutrients. Metronidazole showed a different pattern of activity against the three parasites. The evidence obtained from these ultrastructural studies supports the current theory that metronidazole adversely affects protozoa by disrupting inner cell membranes.

Albendazole↗