Lysosomal phospholipase A(1) in Trypanosoma cruzi: an enzyme with a possible role in the pathogenesis of Chagas' disease

We found that, as in African trypanosomes, endogenous phospholipase A(1) (P lase A(1)) activity can catalyse extensive deacylation of phospholipids upo n cell death in all life stages of Trypanosoma cruzi. A major lysosomal Pla se A(1) was purified and characterized. The enzyme products can explain the lesions surrounding degenerating T. cruzi cells in host tissues. Thus Plas e A(1) emerges as a target to block pathogenesis in trypanosomal infections .