Structure and Function Relationship of Trans-Sialidases from Trypanosoma congolense

The study presented here addresses structural and functional relations of trans-sialidases (TS) from the African parasite Trypanosoma congolense and their biochemical characterisation. TS are unusual enzymes found in the flagellate protozoan parasite Trypanosoma and catalyse the stereo and region specific transfer of terminal sialic acid from donor sialo-glycoconjugates to terminal galactose residues of suitable acceptor substrates, resulting in alpha-2,3-sialylated glycoconjugates. Major research on trypanosomal TS has been done on Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease in Latin America. However, only little has been known about TS from the African Trypanosoma congolense TS, the prevalent causative agent of African animal Trypanosomiasis (AAT) in livestock and domestic animals also termed nagana.