Proline racemase is an important enzyme of
Trypanosoma cruzi
and has been shown to be an effective mitogen
for B cells, thus contributing to the parasite’s immune evasion and persistence in the human host. Recombinant
epimastigote parasites overexpressing TcPRAC genes coding for proline racemase present an augmented ability
to differentiate into metacyclic infective forms and subsequently penetrate host-cells in vitro. Here we demonstrate
that both anti
T. cruzi proline racemase antibodies and the specific proline racemase inhibitor pyrrole-2-
carboxylic acid significantly affect parasite infection of Vero cells in vitro. This inhibitor also hampers
T. cruzi
intracellular differentiation.
