Characterisation of a cyclophilin isoform in Trypanosoma cruzi

The immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A (CsA) has shown antiparasitic acti vity against several protozoans and helminths, when complexed to proteins c alled cyclophilins (CyPs). In this paper, the molecular characterisation of one member of the CyP family in Trypanosoma cruzi is reported. TcCyP19 gen e proved to be highly conserved compared to CyPs from other organisms and w as highly homologous to a Trypanosoma brucei brucei CyPA. This gene was exp ressed in Escherichia toll and the purified recombinant protein exhibited a peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomerase activity that was inhibited by CsA (IC 50 = 18.4 +/- 0.8 nM). The TcCyP19 gene was located on two chromosomal band s in T. cruzi CL Brener clone. (C) 2001 Federation of European Microbiologi cal Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.