A new study from the Kowalinski group at EMBL Grenoble characterized the structure of an important trypanosomal protein complex, potentially paving the way for novel drug discovery in the future. The ...

Trypanosomes are parasites that cause sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, and various animal diseases. Diagnosis and treatment remain complex and no effective vaccine has been developed. A better understanding of the molecular processes in the parasite is fundamental to the development of novel effective drugs. Scientists have now characterized an important protein complex -- the nuclear cap-binding complex -- that is vital for trypanosomes, since it binds to the end of each of the parasites' mRNAs.