Abstract
Bothrops jararaca venom induces programmed cell death in epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi. Here we fractionated the venom and observed that the anti- T. cruzi activity was associated with fractions that present l-amino acid oxidase ( l-AAO) activity. l-AAO produces H 2O 2, which is highly toxic. The addition of catalase to the medium, a H 2O 2 scavenger, reverted the killing capacity of venom fractions. The anti- T. cruzi activity was also abolished when parasites were cultured in a medium without hydrophobic amino acids that are essential for l-AAO activity. These results were confirmed with a commercial purified l-AAO. Treatment for 24 h with fractions that present l-AAO activity induced parasites cytoplasmic retraction, mitochondrial swelling and DNA fragmentation, all morphological characteristics of programmed cell death. Similar changes were also observed when parasites were treated with H 2O 2. These results indicate that H 2O 2, the product of l-AAO reaction, induces programmed cell death explaining the anti- T. cruzi activity of B. jararaca venom.
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