INHIBITION OF THE GLYCOLYTIC-ENZYMES IN THE TRYPANOSOME - AN APPROACHIN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW LEADS IN THE THERAPY OF PARASITIC DISEASES

Glycolysis in the trypanosome represents an important target for the d evelopment of new therapeutic agents due to the fact that this metabol ism is essential for the parasite, glucose being its sole source of en ergy. In addition, different features of this metabolism and those ass ociated with glycolytic enzymes offer opportunities for the developmen t of efficient and selective compounds. Examples are given in this wor k of inhibitors directed to the enzymes aldolase and glyceraldehyde-ph osphate-dehydrogenase and also of molecules acting specifically on the clusters of basic amino-acids present at the surfaces of the glycolyt ic enzymes in the parasite.