Publications by authors named "Steven Santino Leonardi"
Blastocystis is a common intestinal parasite that has been linked to gut pathology in humans. In this article, we highlight recent publications that offer insight into how these organisms can influence human cognition and the gut microbiome. We also suggest a potential mechanism of action by which this might occur.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe synthesis of extracellular vesicles by the protistan parasite .
Front Cell Infect Microbiol
November 2022
Article Synopsis
- A study focuses on a specific type of single-celled protist called subtype 7 (ST7), which has been shown to cause greater damage to gut cells and disrupt gut microbiota compared to other variants.
- The research outlines a method for isolating extracellular vesicles (EVs) from ST7, using techniques like ultracentrifugation and various forms of microscopy to examine their structure and protein content.
- Results indicate that ST7 releases EVs with distinct shapes and specific proteins, suggesting these vesicles might play a role in communication between the protist and its environment, potentially affecting gut health.
Article Synopsis
- * Blastocystis, a single-cell parasite, has sparked debate on its role—whether beneficial or harmful—within the gut microbiome.
- * This study investigates the unique function of the Blastocystis tryptophanase gene (BhTnaA), showing that it converts indole to tryptophan rather than the reverse, indicating a possible role in tryptophan production in the gut.