Benznidazole-resistance in Trypanosoma Cruzi is a Readily Acquired Trait That Can Arise Independently in a Single Population

Overview

Journal J Infect Dis

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialty Infectious Diseases

Date 2012 May 4

PMID 22551809

Citations 61

Authors

Ana Maria Mejia

Belinda S Hall

Martin C Taylor

Andres Gomez-Palacio

Shane R Wilkinson

Omar Triana-Chavez

John M Kelly

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Benznidazole is the frontline drug used against Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. However, treatment failures are often reported. Here, we demonstrate that independently acquired mutations in the gene encoding a mitochondrial nitroreductase (TcNTR) can give rise to distinct drug-resistant clones within a single population. Following selection of benznidazole-resistant parasites, all clones examined had lost one of the chromosomes containing the TcNTR gene. Sequence analysis of the remaining TcNTR allele revealed 3 distinct mutant genes in different resistant clones. Expression studies showed that these mutant proteins were unable to activate benznidazole. This correlated with loss of flavin mononucleotide binding. The drug-resistant phenotype could be reversed by transfection with wild-type TcNTR. These results identify TcNTR as a central player in acquired resistance to benznidazole. They also demonstrate that T. cruzi has a propensity to undergo genetic changes that can lead to drug resistance, a finding that has implications for future therapeutic strategies.

Citing Articles

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System-based insights into parasitological and clinical treatment failure in Chagas disease.

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