Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease mainly affecting low-income populations. Conventional treatment involves several side effects, is expensive, and, in addition, protozoa can develop resistance. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising alternative in treating the disease. PDT involves applying light at a specific wavelength to activate a photosensitive compound (photosensitizer, PS), to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). Curcumin and its photochemical characteristics make it a good candidate for photodynamic therapy. Studies evaluating gene expression can help to understand the molecular events involved in the cell death caused by PDT. In the present study, RNA was extracted from promastigotes from the control and treated groups after applying PDT. RT-qPCR was performed to verify the expression of the putative ATPase beta subunit (ATPS), ATP synthase subunit A (F0F1), argininosuccinate synthase 1 (ASS), ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2), glycoprotein 63 (GP63), superoxide dismutase (FeSODA), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) genes (QR). The results suggest that PDT altered the expression of genes that participate in oxidative stress and cell death pathways, such as ATPS, FeSODA, and G6PD. The ATP-F0F1, ASS, and GP63 genes did not have their expression altered. However, it is essential to highlight that other genes may be involved in the molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress and, consequently, in the death of parasites.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank FAPESP/CEPOF-2013/07276-1 and FINEP agreement 01.13.0275.00 and Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel — Brazil (CAPES) Financing Code 001. The support of Breno Pupin for the realization of the experiments of RT-qPCR. Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel - Brazil (CAPES) 88887.807886/2023-00.
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This research was funded by the São Paulo State Research Support Foundation (FAPESP), grant number 2016/12211–4.
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L.M.C. Marcolino – Carrying out the experimental part, writing the article.
J.G.Pinto—PDT experimental support and manuscript writing.
I.Ferreira – Manuscript writing.
B.H.Godoi – Manuscript discussion.
R.A.Canevari – qRT-PCR experimental support and analysis of results.
J.Ferreira-Strixino – Supervision, Project writing, Financing.
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Marcolino, L.M.C., Pinto, J.G., Ferreira, I. et al. Molecular effects of photodynamic therapy with curcumin on Leishmania major promastigotes. Parasitol Res 123, 146 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-024-08155-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-024-08155-8