In Vitro Effects of a Vinyl Sulfone Cysteine Protease Inhibitor on a Virulent Strain of the Bovine Parasite Tritrichomonas foetus
Poster Number
27
Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Artist Statement
Tritrichomonas foetus is a protozoan responsible for bovine trichomoniasis. Trichomoniasis in cattle is a disease characterized by self-limitation, and infects both male and female cows, with bulls being asymptomatic chronic carriers of the disease. Similar to trichomoniasis in humans, the protozoan can be treated in vitro using nitroimidazole drugs and its derivatives. However, nitroimidazole drugs are no longer approved by the FDA for treatment of bovine trichomoniasis. Currently, it has been suggested that cysteine proteases are related to the pathogenicity of the parasite and as such, could become a promising drug target for T. foetus. The lack of pharmacological treatment for the disease as well as the impracticality of current control methods contribute to the necessity for new, more effective chemotherapeutics in dealing with the dilemma of the cattle industry. In order to support the effort we have screened, in vitro, a vinyl sulfone peptidomimetic cysteine protease inhibitor, K11777. In addition, IC50 values for this compound have been determined, and the compound has shown promise of inhibiting growth of T. foetus.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom B
Start Date
2-5-2009 1:00 PM
End Date
2-5-2009 3:00 PM
In Vitro Effects of a Vinyl Sulfone Cysteine Protease Inhibitor on a Virulent Strain of the Bovine Parasite Tritrichomonas foetus
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom B
Tritrichomonas foetus is a protozoan responsible for bovine trichomoniasis. Trichomoniasis in cattle is a disease characterized by self-limitation, and infects both male and female cows, with bulls being asymptomatic chronic carriers of the disease. Similar to trichomoniasis in humans, the protozoan can be treated in vitro using nitroimidazole drugs and its derivatives. However, nitroimidazole drugs are no longer approved by the FDA for treatment of bovine trichomoniasis. Currently, it has been suggested that cysteine proteases are related to the pathogenicity of the parasite and as such, could become a promising drug target for T. foetus. The lack of pharmacological treatment for the disease as well as the impracticality of current control methods contribute to the necessity for new, more effective chemotherapeutics in dealing with the dilemma of the cattle industry. In order to support the effort we have screened, in vitro, a vinyl sulfone peptidomimetic cysteine protease inhibitor, K11777. In addition, IC50 values for this compound have been determined, and the compound has shown promise of inhibiting growth of T. foetus.