Glycosomal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH (glycosomal), or gGAPDH (sometimes specifically for the glycosomal isoform))

Glycosomal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is an isoenzyme of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) that is specifically localized within glycosomes—specialized peroxisome-like organelles found in trypanosomatid protozoa such as Leishmania and Trypanosoma. This enzyme catalyzes a crucial step in glycolysis: the NAD⁺-dependent oxidation and phosphorylation of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate to 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate. The glycosomal isoenzyme possesses unique sequence features, such as peptide insertions, a carboxy-terminal glycosomal targeting signal, and an excess of positive charges, distinguishing it from its cytosolic counterpart and from human GAPDH. Glycosomal GAPDH is essential for ATP production in trypanosomatids and is under investigation as a drug target since its inhibition may selectively disrupt parasite viability without affecting human cells.

Other names

Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (glycosomal)Glycosomal GAPDHGAPDH (glycosomal)Trypanosomatid glycosomal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase

Inhibitors would act by blocking glycolytic ATP production in parasites, leading to energy deprivation and death of the pathogen