P. Okhuysen, C. Chappell, C. Kettner
Dec 1, 1996
Citations
1
Influential Citations
41
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
Abstract
Cryptosporidium parvum arginine aminopeptidase (RAP) was studied during in vitro excystation. Specific RAP inhibitors were identified by using C. parvum extracts. Amastatin, a series of alpha-aminoboronic acids, and the chelating agents EDTA and 1,10-phenanthrolene, but not endoproteinase inhibitors, blocked enzymatic activity. RAP inhibitors found to be effective in soluble enzymatic assays were then studied for their effect on in vitro excystation. 1,10-Phenanthrolene, amastatin, and H-boronorleucine (pinacol) inhibited excystation by 84, 57, and 61%, respectively, compared with solvent-treated control oocysts. Sporozoites remained viable within the oocyst as determined by propidium iodide and fluorescein diacetate dye uptake, suggesting that alpha-aminoboronic acids were not directly lethal to the parasite.