Projects & Grants
| Catalase: to be or not to be in two hosts | |
|---|---|
| Project Id | 21-09283S |
| Main solver | prof. MSc. Vjačeslav Jurčenko, Ph.D. |
| Period | 1/2021 - 12/2023 |
| Provider | Standardní grantový projekt GA AV |
| State | finished |
| Anotation | Parasitism is an extremely successful lifestyle that involves a variety of strategies to utilize one or more hosts. In this grant proposal, we propose to investigate a medically important group of trypanosomatids (Leishmaniinae), which includes both single-host (monoxenous) and two-hosts (dixenous) representatives. It is generally accepted that dixeny has evolved from monoxeny, yet the specific mechanisms, which has governed this important evolutionary event are unknown. Based on our preliminary results, we posit that the presence of hydrogen peroxide or its decomposition in the cell by catalase could play an essential role in this process. The catalaseencoding gene is exclusively present in genomes of monoxenous trypanosomatids (Leptomonas spp.) and conspicuously absent from their dixenous kin (Leishmania spp.). In the frame of this project we will focus on the fundamental differences between life cycles of the monoxenous and dixenous Leishmaniinae to understand the transition from the one-host (insects) to the two-hosts (insects and vertebrates) strategies. |
