Investigation of the Subcellular Localization of Aquaglyceroporin 1 in Leishmania spp.: Implications in Antimonial Susceptibility

Abstract

About twenty parasite species of the Leishmania genus can infect human, causing a spectrum of diseases known as leishmaniases. Eight of these species have been reported in Brazil. One of the most common treatments for leishmaniases in Brazil is based on the use of antimonials. However, cases of resistance have been reported in the country and in India, and susceptibility to antimonials differs significantly among Leishmania species. The transport of antimony in Leishmania is mediated by the aquaglyceroporin 1 (AQP1) protein, whose subcellular localization varies among the previously studied species: L. amazonensis, L. donovani and L. major. Our hypothesis is that the subcellular localization of AQP1 affects Leishmania spp. susceptibility to antimonials. Therefore, our objective is to determine the subcellular localization of AQP1 and investigate its correlation with susceptibility to antimony treatment in five species of Leishmania: L. (L.) amazonensis, L. (V.) braziliensis, L. (L.) donovani, L. (L.) infantum chagasi and L. (L.) major. With this, we will elucidate the subcellular localization of AQP1 in more species of the genus and deepen the understanding of the importance of identifying the Leishmania species in infected humans for selecting the most appropriate chemotherapeutics.