Hydrogen peroxide metabolism in Trypanosoma brucei.

Contrary to previous reports in the literature, bloodstream forms of the haemoflagellate protozoan Trypanosoma brucei brucei are not deficient in their ability to metabolize hydrogen peroxide, although they either lack or only possess the normal enzymes for H2O2 detoxification, catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) and glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9), at extremely low levels. The hydrogen peroxide which is consumed appears to be reduced by NADPH derived from glucose via the pentose phosphate pathway. This process requires the newly discovered cofactor trypanothione.