Trypanothion – Wunderwaffe und Achillesferse der Trypanosomatiden

Trypanosomatids are protozoan parasites with a unique trypanothionebased thiol redox metabolism. Mediated by the small oxidoreductase tryparedoxin, trypanothione is the universal electron donor for the biosynthesis of DNA precursors, reduction of methionine sulfoxides as well as detoxification of hydroperoxides by distinct thiol peroxidases. The fact that nearly all enzymes involved are essential renders the pathway attractive for drug development approaches against these parasites.