{"id":6953,"date":"2024-10-08T17:34:54","date_gmt":"2024-10-08T17:34:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/?p=6953"},"modified":"2024-10-16T21:43:13","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T21:43:13","slug":"scientists-discover-key-to-combat-drug-resistant-parasitic-infection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/scientists-discover-key-to-combat-drug-resistant-parasitic-infection\/","title":{"rendered":"Scientists Discover Key to Combat Drug-Resistant Parasitic Infection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-blockquote uagb-block-e7eb3fc3 uagb-blockquote__skin-border uagb-blockquote__stack-img-none\"><blockquote class=\"uagb-blockquote\"><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__content\">IOCB-led researchers have unlocked a new path to combating drug-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis. Their breakthrough could revolutionize treatments for this widespread sexually transmitted infection.<\/div><footer><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__author-wrap uagb-blockquote__author-at-left\"><\/div><\/footer><\/blockquote><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b0ffac9c wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">The University Network<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share uagb-social-share__outer-wrap uagb-social-share__layout-horizontal uagb-block-ee584a31\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-ec619ce7\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.8 90.69 226.4 209.3 245V327.7h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.3 482.4 504 379.8 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-32d99934\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"twitter\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-1d136f14\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"linkedin\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a groundbreaking effort to combat drug-resistant strains of the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis, researchers led by the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB) of the Czech Academy of Sciences have made a crucial discovery. By successfully isolating and preparing the proteasome enzyme complex of the parasite, they&#8217;ve opened the door to developing new and more effective medicines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Led by Dr. Ev\u017een Bou\u0159a, head of the Structural Membrane Biology group at IOCB Prague, the research aims to tackle the rising challenge of drug-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis, a parasite that causes a sexually transmitted infection known as trichomoniasis. This condition not only poses a significant health risk on its own but also increases the probability of contracting HIV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Partnering with colleagues from the University of California San Diego, Bou\u0159a\u2019s team focused on the proteasome, an enzyme complex essential for recycling old proteins within cells. When the proteasome malfunctions, old proteins accumulate, leading to cell death. This mechanism has already been exploited in the treatment of some cancers and now shows potential for treating trichomoniasis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe proteasome looks the same in every animal or protozoan, but the details of this cylindrical structure differ. It is these details that we need to know in order to create a substance that is toxic to the parasite but not harmful to the human body. That is a crucial precondition for drug development. Our greatest success is that we have been able to prepare a recombinant, artificial proteasome that can provide us with the necessary information,\u201d Ev\u017een Bou\u0159a said in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uochb.cz\/en\/news\/651\/scientists-from-iocb-prague-help-to-improve-medical-drugs\">news release<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Isolating the proteasome from Trichomonas vaginalis had previously been a daunting challenge. To overcome this, the team developed an artificial proteasome in insect cells, mirroring the natural one closely enough to provide vital insights. This artificial proteasome allowed them to use advanced electron microscopy to examine the enzyme complex in atomic detail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their work, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-024-53022-w\" title=\"\">detailed<\/a> in the scientific journal Nature Communications, included assessing the effects of two potential proteasome-inhibiting substances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With this intricate understanding of the proteasome, the researchers could observe how these substances might bind to the active site of the enzyme, effectively halting the parasite\u2019s cellular processes. The hope is that this will lead to the creation of new drugs specifically designed to target Trichomonas vaginalis without harming human cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The significance of this research cannot be overstated. Trichomonas vaginalis infects millions of people globally, predominantly affecting women and often going undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. The emergence of drug-resistant strains has heightened the urgency to find new therapeutic approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By advancing our understanding of the proteasome\u2019s structure and function, Bou\u0159a and his team are not only contributing to the fight against a specific parasitic infection but are also paving the way for novel strategies in drug development. Their interdisciplinary approach and the successful collaboration with international peers underscore the global importance of this scientific breakthrough.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In a groundbreaking effort to combat drug-resistant strains of the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis, researchers led by the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB) of the Czech Academy of Sciences have made a crucial discovery. By successfully isolating and preparing the proteasome enzyme complex of the parasite, they&#8217;ve opened the door to developing new and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-no-separators","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6953","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"The University Network","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/author\/funky_junkie\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"In a groundbreaking effort to combat drug-resistant strains of the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis, researchers led by the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB) of the Czech Academy of Sciences have made a crucial discovery. By successfully isolating and preparing the proteasome enzyme complex of the parasite, they&#8217;ve opened the door to developing new and&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6953","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6953"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6953\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7060,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6953\/revisions\/7060"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6953"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6953"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6953"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}