 Professor Kojo Mensa-Wilmot in the hallway outside his lab. |
Professor
Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University
RESEARCH
Cell Signaling, Protein Targeting, and Drug Discovery in the African Trypanosome
Infections by protozoan parasites result in millions of human deaths in the developing world. Human African trypanosomiasis, which is caused by Trypanosoma brucei, is managed with a few drugs that are fairly old and toxic in general. There is a need to discover new drugs to treat the disease.
 Trypanosoma brucei |
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With the genome of T. brucei sequenced, genetic experiments to identify putative drug targets are common. However, these genetic data do not automatically identify small molecules that might be developed into drugs. For parasitologists interested in discovering new drugs, it is economically advantageous to identify lead drug candidates (i.e. small molecules) without screening a huge number of compounds in the available "chemical space", because of limited support from major pharmaceutical companies. Molecular cell biology is a powerful tool for discovering trypanosome-specific physiological pathways that are significantly different from those of humans and therefore may be targeted for drug discovery.
 Effect of a novel lead compound on the trypanosome morphology (F. Clyde Hardin). Cells were treated for 90 minutes. N, nucleus; k, kinetoplast (mitochondrial DNA) |
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We study two physiological pathways in the African trypanosome; (i), protein kinase signal transduction, and (ii), translocation of proteins into the endoplasmic reticulum. Basic molecular studies of these pathways have provided mechanistic insights that have led to discovery of novel chemical scaffolds (i.e. small molecules) that be exploited to discover for new anti-trypanosome lead drugs. In combination with molecular genetic, biochemical, and proteomic approaches, these small molecules are also being used to understand basic biology of the trypanosome.
The synergy between these fields (i.e. basic molecular cell biology and lead drug discovery) is extraordinarily exciting!
| CONTACT INFORMATION |
| (706) 542-3355, mensawil@cb.uga.edu |
| SEE ALSO |
| A World of Sorrow and Hope," Franklin Chronicle Columns profile of Dr. Mensa-Wilmot Biomedical & Health Sciences Institute |
OF NOTE
SUPPORT STAFF
| NAME |
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POSITION | |
E-MAIL |
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| Ariel Lane | |
Grad Student | |
alane@uga.edu |
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Sarah Thomas | |
Grad Student | |
thomassm@uga.edu |
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Courtney Ferrebee | |
Research Staff | |
cferr9@uga.edu |
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Samiksha Katiyar | |
Research Staff | |
samiksha@uga.edu |
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
Subramanya S., Hardin F.C., Steverding D., and Mensa-Wilmot K. (2008) Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Phospholipase C Regulates Transferrin Endocytosis in the African Trypanosome. Biochemical Journal.
Subramanya, S. and K. Mensa-Wilmot, Regulated cleavage of intracellular glycosylphosphatidylinositol in a trypanosome. FEBS J, 2006. 273(10): p. 2110-26.
Stanton, J.D. and K. Mensa-Wilmot, AUG-proximal nucleotides regulate protein synthesis in Leishmania tropica. Mol Microbiol, 2006. 61(3): p. 691-703.
Zheng, Z., R.K. Tweten, and K. Mensa-Wilmot, Intracellular glycosylphosphatidylinositols accumulate on endosomes: toxicity of alpha-toxin to Leishmania major. Eukaryot Cell, 2005. 4(3): p. 556-66.
Zheng, Z., et al., Endosomes, Glycosomes, and Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Catabolism in Leishmania major. J Biol Chem, 2004. 279(40): p. 42106-13.