Scientists have found a new way to treat sleeping sickness

Sleeping sickness is a parasitic infection called trypanosome, which is prevalent in Central Africa In a new study, researchers from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland found that trypanosomes release peptidases, enzymes that break down proteins in the blood into small molecules These small molecules, called oligopeptides, were detected by gpr89, a protein found on the surface of trypanosomes (http:// This triggers trypanosomes to enter a state in which they can be ingested and transmitted by tsetse flies These oligopeptides are the nutrients of Trypanosoma and are absorbed by its surface protein gpr89 Disrupting this process by designing drugs that interfere with gpr89 protein (http:// may provide a new way to treat sleeping sickness The researchers point out that this approach may limit Trypanosoma's resistance in two ways: limiting the supply of nutrients (http:// and preventing Trypanosoma from entering the state required for the spread of the disease The researchers also suggested that people might use an artificial form of signaling molecule to disarm trypanosomes, which would induce them to stop growing too early.