Biochemical Properties of the Acid Ectophosphatase Activity of <i>Phytomonas serpens</i> Involved in Cell Proliferation
<i>Phytomonas</i> is the only kinetoplastid that can parasitize plants, causing economically relevant issues. <i>Phytomonas serpens</i> share similarities with pathogenic trypanosomatids, including surface enzymes that are involved in adhesion to the salivary gland of their e...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Kinases and Phosphatases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2813-3757/2/4/24 |
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| Summary: | <i>Phytomonas</i> is the only kinetoplastid that can parasitize plants, causing economically relevant issues. <i>Phytomonas serpens</i> share similarities with pathogenic trypanosomatids, including surface enzymes that are involved in adhesion to the salivary gland of their experimental host, the insect <i>Oncopeltus fasciatus</i>. Ectophosphatases are cell surface enzymes involved in host–parasite interactions that are widely distributed among microorganisms. This work aimed to perform the biochemical characterization of <i>P. serpens</i> ectophosphatase activity, investigating and discussing its possible physiological role. This activity presented an acidic profile, and its kinetic parameters <i>K</i><sub>m</sub> and <i>V</i><sub>max</sub> were calculated as 1.57 ± 0.08 mM <i>p</i>-NPP and 10.11 ± 0.14 nmol <i>p</i>-NP/(h × 10<sup>8</sup> flagellates), respectively. It was stimulated by cobalt, inhibited by zinc, and insensitive to EDTA, a divalent metal chelator. The inhibitor sodium orthovanadate was able to decrease <i>P. serpens</i> ectophosphatase activity and growth, suggesting its involvement in cell proliferation. Given that <i>P. serpens</i> can uptake inorganic phosphate (P<sub>i</sub>) from the extracellular medium, it is likely that its ectophosphatase activity acts together with the transport systems in the P<sub>i</sub> acquisition process. The elucidation of the molecular mechanisms involved in this process emerges as a relevant perspective, providing new strategies for controlling <i>Phytomonas</i> infection. |
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| ISSN: | 2813-3757 |