Finding a Cure For Trypanosomiasis

Trypanosoma brucei is a single celled, eukaryotic, parasitic organism which causes Trypanosomiasis, a serious vector borne disease in humans and other vertebrate animals, throughout many areas of Africa. Science has struggled with finding a highly effective cure with minimal side effects for Trypanosomiasis because of the unorthodox biology of T. brucei. T. brucei’s mitochondrial
kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) is uniquely composed of thousands of circular DNA molecules catenated together to form a disk-like network referred to as the kinetoplast disk. The organism’s methods of replicating and maintaining the kDNA network involves mechanisms containing many proteins whose functions are not fully understood. By establishing and utilizing a yeast two hybrid system, we will determine whether direct interactions are occurring between specific kDNA replication proteins in T. brucei. The groups of chosen kDNA proteins analyzed through the yeast two hybrid system are hypothesized to interact because of similar protein function and localization. A complete understanding of each kDNA replication protein’s function has yet to be determined. Whether
direct interactions are established will paint a clearer picture of the mechanisms occurring within kDNA replication. By bridging this gap in knowledge and gaining an increased understanding of the kDNA replication process will aid in the search for more accurate and less toxic anti-trypanosomatid treatments.