title: JVG9, a benzimidazole derivative, alters the surface and cytoskeleton of Trypanosoma cruzi bloodstream trypomastigotes.
abstract: Trypanosoma cruzi has a particular cytoskeleton that consists of a subpellicular network of microtubules and actin microfilaments. Therefore, it is an excellent target for the development of new anti-parasitic drugs. Benzimidazole 2-carbamates, a class of well-known broad-spectrum anthelmintics, have been shown to inhibit the in vitro growth of many protozoa. Therefore, to find efficient anti-trypanosomal (trypanocidal) drugs, our group has designed and synthesised several benzimidazole derivatives. One, named JVG9 (5-chloro-1H-benzimidazole-2-thiol), has been found to be effective against T. cruzi bloodstream trypomastigotes under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Here, we present the in vitro effects observed by laser scanning confocal and scanning electron microscopy on T. cruzi trypomastigotes. Changes in the surface and the distribution of the cytoskeletal proteins are consistent with the hypothesis that the trypanocidal activity of JVG9 involves the cytoskeleton as a target.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Investigación, Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales para los Trabajadores del Estado, Ciudad de México, México.
authors.forename: Dylan L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Díaz-Chiguer
authors.affiliation: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hernández-Luis
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Parasitología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México.
authors.forename: Benjamín
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nogueda-Torres
authors.affiliation: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México.
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Reynoso-Ducoing
authors.affiliation: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México.
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hernández-Campos
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México.
authors.forename: Javier R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ambrosio
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects*; D005407:Flagella / Q000187:drug effects; D008018:Life Cycle Stages / Q000187:drug effects*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014404:Tubulin / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: C000598681:5-chloro-1H-benzimidazole-2-thiol; D000199:Actins; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents; D014404:Tubulin