Biotechnology

Biography

Biography: Monidipa Ghosh

Abstract

Visceral Leishmaniasis, caused by the kinetoplastid protozoan L. donovani is the most fatal form of leishmaniasis affecting millions around the world. Molecular level study of L. donovani in comparison to other leishmanial species is unexplored so far. In the current study, we present the complete scanning of L. donovani genome revealing its interspecies variations. The total 8032 genes encoding proteins from L. donovani with the total of other four sequenced Leishmania species are compared. Here the comparative proteome analysis of L. donovani with the other sequenced leishmanial species is reported. Despite extreme conservation between the genomes of leishmanial species, we identified 57 species specific genes including few genes which encode the hypothetical proteins of Leishmania donovani which may play a significant role in pathogenesis which needs further experimental investigations. In addition we hypothesize the involvement and possible molecular mechanism of one specific L. donovani protein, in parasite invasion and pathogenesis. Further genes of L. donovani which are conserved only in certain species and the genes which encode repetitive proteins are detailed which may augment the understanding of pathogenesis of L. donovani in human host. Also Multiple Sequence Alignment (MSA) analysis was carried out for the most significant A2 genes which has established role in visceral leishmaniasis to drive the determination of role of evolution in Leishmanial species. This study therefore frameworks experimental verification of few significant genes, consistent with independent existence, to set an avenue of genomic aspect of drug targeting to overcome the current problems in an effective way. Some combinatorial effect of cholesterol-lowering drug statin and a micronutrient chromium chloride hexahydrate is also examined as a novel anti-leishmanial therapeutic agent.