Mechanism of Trypanosoma cruzi death induced by Cratylia mollis seed lectin

• Published in: Journal of bioenergetics and biomembranes Vol. 42; no. 1; pp. 69 - 78
• Main Authors: Fernandes, M. P., Inada, N. M., Chiaratti, M. R., Araújo, F. F. B., Meirelles, F. V., Correia, M. T. S., Coelho, L. C. B. B., Alves, M. J. M., Gadelha, F. R., Vercesi, A. E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.02.2010; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal Anatomy; Animal Biochemistry; Animals; Apoptosis; Biochemistry; Bioenergetics; Bioorganic Chemistry; Calcium Signaling - drug effects; Cell Membrane Permeability - drug effects; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Cell Survival - drug effects; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Digitonin - pharmacology; Fabaceae - chemistry; Fluorescence microscopy; Glycoconjugates - metabolism; Herbal medicine; Histology; Humans; Iodides; Keratinocytes - cytology; Keratinocytes - drug effects; Keratinocytes - metabolism; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial - drug effects; Membranes; Morphology; Necrosis; Organic Chemistry; Oxidative Phosphorylation - drug effects; Plant Lectins - isolation & purification; Plant Lectins - pharmacology; Proteins; Protozoa; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; Respiration; Trypanosoma cruzi; Trypanosoma cruzi - cytology; Trypanosoma cruzi - drug effects; Trypanosoma cruzi - metabolism; Mitochondria; Calcium; Cell death; ROS; Cramoll 1,4 lectin
• ISSN: 0145-479X; 1573-6881
• DOI: 10.1007/s10863-010-9268-9

Incubation of T. cruzi epimastigotes with the lectin Cramoll 1,4 in Ca 2+ containing medium led to agglutination and inhibition of cell proliferation. The lectin (50 µg/ml) induced plasma membrane permeabilization followed by Ca 2+ influx and mitochondrial Ca 2+ accumulation, a result that resembles the classical effect of digitonin. Cramoll 1,4 stimulated (five-fold) mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, significantly decreased the electrical mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ m ) and impaired ADP phosphorylation. The rate of uncoupled respiration in epimastigotes was not affected by Cramoll 1,4 plus Ca 2+ treatment, but oligomycin-induced resting respiration was 65% higher in treated cells than in controls. Experiments using T. cruzi mitochondrial fractions showed that, in contrast to digitonin, the lectin significantly decreased ΔΨ m by a mechanism sensitive to EGTA. In agreement with the results showing plasma membrane permeabilization and impairment of oxidative phosphorylation by the lectin, fluorescence microscopy experiments using propidium iodide revealed that Cramoll 1,4 induced epimastigotes death by necrosis.