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Research Interests
The focus of our area of research is
the characterization at the molecular level of the mechanisms of
pathogenesis for the number one sexually transmitted infection
caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. We are studying the
biology of the host-parasite interrelationship and identifying
virulence factors that are candidates for Point-of-Care diagnostics
and/or vaccines.
Research Summary
The following represent recent noteworthy accomplishments:
1) Membrane proteins that mediate
cytoadherence to vaginal epithelial cells have been identified.
2) Significant membrane remodeling results from distinct signaling
pathways involving iron and contact with host cells.
3) Numerous metabolic enzymes were discovered to be secreted and
become anchorless, surface-associated proteins with alternative
functions on the parasite surface. This functional diversity is
evidence by the enzymes have specific receptor binding for host
proteins that then become pathogenicity factors. For example, GAPDH
is the receptor for fibronectin, and α-enolase is the
receptor for plasminogen.
4) A Point-of-Care diagnostic (sold by Genzyme, Inc.) was invented
by the lab, and this diagnostic was the direct result of basic
research studying the property of adherence.
Research Publications
2005-2009
Sutcliffe, S., I. Kawachi, J.F. Alderete, C.A. Gaydos, L.P. Jacobson, F.J. Jenkins, R.P. Viscidi, J.M. Zenilman, and E.A. Platz, 2009. Correlates of sexually transmitted infection histories in a cohort of American male health professionals. Cancer Causes Control, (Epub ahead of print).
Gerhold, R.W., A.B. Allison, H. Sellers, E. Linnemann, T.H. Chang, and J.F. Alderete, 2009. Examination for double-stranded RNA viruses in Trichomonas gallinae and identification of a novel sequence of a Trichomonas vaginalis virus. Parasitol Res, 105(3): p. 775-9.
Lama, A., A. Kucknoor, V. Mundodi, and J.F. Alderete, 2009. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is a surface-associated, fibronectin-binding protein of Trichomonas vaginalis. Infect Immun, 77(7): p. 2703-11.
Sutcliffe, S., J.F. Alderete, C. Till, P.J.
Goodman, A.W. Hsing, J.M. Zenilman, A.M. De Marzo, and
E.A. Platz, 2009. Trichomonosis and subsequent risk of prostate
cancer in the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial. Int J Cancer,
124(9): p. 2082-7.
Sutcliffe, S., I. Kawachi, J.F. Alderete, C.A.
Gaydos, L.P. Jacobson, F.J. Jenkins, R.P. Viscidi, J.M.
Zenilman, and E.A. Platz, Correlates of sexually transmitted
infection histories in a cohort of American male health
professionals. Cancer Causes Control, 2009.
Torres-Machorro, A.L., R. Hernandez, J.F.
Alderete, and I. Lopez-Villasenor, 2009. Comparative
analyses among the Trichomonas vaginalis, Trichomonas tenax, and
Tritrichomonas foetus 5S ribosomal RNA genes. Curr Genet, 55(2): p.
199-210.
Kucknoor, A.S., V. Mundodi, and J.F. Alderete. 2009. Genetic identity and differential gene expression between Trichomonas vaginalis and T. tenax. BMC Microbiol. BMC Microbiol. 9:58 (18 March 2009).
Alvarez-Sanchez, M.E., B.I. Carvajal-Gamez, E. Solano-Gonzalez,
M. Martinez-Benitez, A.F. Garcia, J.F. Alderete,
and R. Arroyo, Polyamine depletion down-regulates expression of the
Trichomonas vaginalis cytotoxic CP65, a 65-kDa cysteine proteinase
involved in cellular damage. Int J Biochem Cell Biol, 2008. 40(11):
p. 2442-51.
Mundodi, V., A.S. Kucknoor, and J.F. Alderete,
Immunogenic and plasminogen-binding surface-associated
alpha-enolase of Trichomonas vaginalis. Infect Immun, 2008. 76(2):
p. 523-31.
Mazet, M., M. Diogon, J.F. Alderete, C.P.
Vivares, and F. Delbac, First molecular characterisation of
hydrogenosomes in the protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis.
Int J Parasitol, 2008. 38(2): p. 177-90.