# Glucose Sensing and Hexokinases in the African Trypanosome

> **NIH NIH P20** · CLEMSON UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $221,073

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The infectious lifecycle stage of the African trypanosome, Trypanosoma brucei, relies exclusively on glycolysis
for ATP generation. The parasite responds to dynamic environmental cues to regulate this pathway. The goal
of this application is to resolve the mechanisms that regulate localization of the essential glycolytic enzymes, T.
brucei hexokinase 1 and 2, with a particular emphasis on understanding the glucose-sensitive subcellular
localization of the proteins. We have previously demonstrated that T. brucei hexokinase 2, which was
heretofore believed to be limited in its distribution to a peroxisome-like organelle called the glycosome, has in
addition a life-cycle dependent extra-glycosomal localization. In the bloodstream form parasites, the protein
was found in the flagellum while in the insect stage the protein was found proximal to the basal bodies. Our
preliminary data suggests that the localization is dependent on environmental glucose availability and that the
hexokinases are associated with a detergent-insoluble fraction of the mitochondria. Using both ectopic
expression of tagged proteins and immunochemistry in collaboration with microscopy and biochemical
approaches, we will identify the enzyme domains that are required for localization. Additionally, we will begin to
resolve the mechanisms required for glucose-dependent localization, with a particular focus on the association
of the hexokinases with the parasite mitochondrion. Through these studies, new ways of targeting glucose
metabolism, an essential parasite pathway, will be identified.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9900822
- **Project number:** 5P20GM109094-05
- **Recipient organization:** CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** JAMES Culvin MORRIS
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $221,073
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → 2022-07-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9900822

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9900822, Glucose Sensing and Hexokinases in the African Trypanosome (5P20GM109094-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9900822. Licensed CC0.

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