Effect of Nicotine on CYP2B1 Expression in a Glioma Animal Model and Analysis of CYP2B6 Expression in Pediatric Gliomas.

Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is a pro-drug commonly used in the chemotherapeutic schemes for glioma treatment but has high toxicity and the side effects include brain damage and even death. Since CPA is activated mainly by CY2B6, over-expression of the enzyme in the tumor cells has been proposed to enhance CPA activation. In this study, we explored the induction of the Cyp2b1 (homologous to CYP2B6) by nicotine in an animal rat model with glioma. Gene expression and protein levels were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blot. Nicotine treatment increased CYP2B1 protein levels in the healthy animals' brain tissue. In the brain tissue of animals with glioma, the CYP2B1 showed a high expression, even before nicotine treatment. Nicotine did not increase significantly the CYP2B1 protein expression in the tumor, but increased its expression in the tumor vicinity, especially around blood vessels in the cortex. We also explored CY2B6 expression in glioma samples derived from pediatric patients. Tumor tissue showed a variable expression of the enzyme, which could depend on the tumor malignancy grade. Induction of the CYP2B6 in pediatric gliomas with lower expression of the enzyme, could be an alternative to improve the antitumoral effect of CPA treatment.

Biochemical Characterization and Structural Modeling of Fused Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase-Phosphogluconolactonase from Giardia lamblia.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is the first enzyme in the pentose phosphate pathway and is highly relevant in the metabolism of Giardialamblia. Previous reports suggested that the G6PD gene is fused with the 6-phosphogluconolactonase (6PGL) gene (6pgl). Therefore, in this work, we decided to characterize the fused G6PD-6PGL protein in Giardialamblia. First, the gene of g6pd fused with the 6pgl gene (6gpd::6pgl) was isolated from trophozoites of Giardialamblia and the corresponding G6PD::6PGL protein was overexpressed and purified in Escherichia coli. Then, we characterized the native oligomeric state of the G6PD::6PGL protein in solution and we found a catalytic dimer with an optimum pH of 8.75. Furthermore, we determined the steady-state kinetic parameters for the G6PD domain and measured the thermal stability of the protein in both the presence and absence of guanidine hydrochloride (Gdn-HCl) and observed that the G6PD::6PGL protein showed alterations in the stability, secondary structure, and tertiary structure in the presence of Gdn-HCl. Finally, computer modeling studies revealed unique structural and functional features, which clearly established the differences between G6PD::6PGL protein from G. lamblia and the human G6PD enzyme, proving that the model can be used for the design of new drugs with antigiardiasic activity. These results broaden the perspective for future studies of the function of the protein and its effect on the metabolism of this parasite as a potential pharmacological target.

Proton pump inhibitors drastically modify triosephosphate isomerase from Giardia lamblia at functional and structural levels, providing molecular leads in the design of new antigiardiasic drugs.

BACKGROUND: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are extensively used in clinical practice because of their effectiveness and safety. Omeprazole is one of the best-selling drugs worldwide and, with other PPIs, has been proposed to be potential drugs for the treatment of several diseases. We demonstrated that omeprazole shows cytotoxic effects in Giardia and concomitantly inactivates giardial triosephosphate isomerase (GlTIM). Therefore, we evaluated the efficiency of commercially available PPIs to inactivate this enzyme. METHODS: We assayed the effect of PPIs on the GlTIM WT, single Cys mutants, and the human counterpart, following enzyme activity, thermal stability, exposure of hydrophobic regions, and susceptibility to limited proteolysis. RESULTS: PPIs efficiently inactivated GlTIM; however, rabeprazole was the best inactivating drug and was nearly ten times more effective. The mechanism of inactivation by PPIs was through the modification of the Cys 222 residue. Moreover, there are important changes at the structural level, the thermal stability of inactivated-GlTIM was drastically diminished and the structural rigidity was lost, as observed by the exposure of hydrophobic regions and their susceptibility to limited proteolysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that rabeprazole is the most potent PPI for GlTIM inactivation and that all PPIs tested have substantial abilities to alter GITIM at the structural level, causing serious damage. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first report demonstrating the effectiveness of commercial PPIs on a glycolytic parasitic enzyme, with structural features well known. This study is a step forward in the use and understanding the implicated mechanisms of new antigiardiasic drugs safe in humans.

Biochemical Analysis of Two Single Mutants that Give Rise to a Polymorphic G6PD A-Double Mutant.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is a key regulatory enzyme that plays a crucial role in the regulation of cellular energy and redox balance. Mutations in the gene encoding G6PD cause the most common enzymopathy that drives hereditary nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia. To gain insights into the effects of mutations in G6PD enzyme efficiency, we have investigated the biochemical, kinetic, and structural changes of three clinical G6PD variants, the single mutations G6PD A+ (Asn126AspD) and G6PD Nefza (Leu323Pro), and the double mutant G6PD A- (Asn126Asp + Leu323Pro). The mutants showed lower residual activity (≤50% of WT G6PD) and displayed important kinetic changes. Although all Class III mutants were located in different regions of the three-dimensional structure of the enzyme and were not close to the active site, these mutants had a deleterious effect over catalytic activity and structural stability. The results indicated that the G6PD Nefza mutation was mainly responsible for the functional and structural alterations observed in the double mutant G6PD A-. Moreover, our study suggests that the G6PD Nefza and G6PD A- mutations affect enzyme functions in a similar fashion to those reported for Class I mutations.

Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase: Update and Analysis of New Mutations around the World.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is a key regulatory enzyme in the pentose phosphate pathway which produces nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) to maintain an adequate reducing environment in the cells and is especially important in red blood cells (RBC). Given its central role in the regulation of redox state, it is understandable that mutations in the gene encoding G6PD can cause deficiency of the protein activity leading to clinical manifestations such as neonatal jaundice and acute hemolytic anemia. Recently, an extensive review has been published about variants in the g6pd gene; recognizing 186 mutations. In this work, we review the state of the art in G6PD deficiency, describing 217 mutations in the g6pd gene; we also compile information about 31 new mutations, 16 that were not recognized and 15 more that have recently been reported. In order to get a better picture of the effects of new described mutations in g6pd gene, we locate the point mutations in the solved three-dimensional structure of the human G6PD protein. We found that class I mutations have the most deleterious effects on the structure and stability of the protein.

Functional and Biochemical Characterization of Three Recombinant Human Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Mutants: Zacatecas, Vanua-Lava and Viangchan.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in humans causes severe disease, varying from mostly asymptomatic individuals to patients showing neonatal jaundice, acute hemolysis episodes or chronic nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia. In order to understand the effect of the mutations in G6PD gene function and its relation with G6PD deficiency severity, we report the construction, cloning and expression as well as the detailed kinetic and stability characterization of three purified clinical variants of G6PD that present in the Mexican population: G6PD Zacatecas (Class I), Vanua-Lava (Class II) and Viangchan (Class II). For all the G6PD mutants, we obtained low purification yield and altered kinetic parameters compared with Wild Type (WT). Our results show that the mutations, regardless of the distance from the active site where they are located, affect the catalytic properties and structural parameters and that these changes could be associated with the clinical presentation of the deficiency. Specifically, the structural characterization of the G6PD Zacatecas mutant suggests that the R257L mutation have a strong effect on the global stability of G6PD favoring an unstable active site. Using computational analysis, we offer a molecular explanation of the effects of these mutations on the active site.

Mutations of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Durham, Santa-Maria and A+ Variants Are Associated with Loss Functional and Structural Stability of the Protein.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common enzymopathy in the world. More than 160 mutations causing the disease have been identified, but only 10% of these variants have been studied at biochemical and biophysical levels. In this study we report on the functional and structural characterization of three naturally occurring variants corresponding to different classes of disease severity: Class I G6PD Durham, Class II G6PD Santa Maria, and Class III G6PD A+. The results showed that the G6PD Durham (severe deficiency), and the G6PD Santa Maria and A+ (less severe deficiency) (Class I, II and III, respectively) affect the catalytic efficiency of these enzymes, are more sensitive to temperature denaturing, and affect the stability of the overall protein when compared to the wild type WT-G6PD. In the variants, the exposure of more and buried hydrophobic pockets was induced and monitored with 8-Anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid (ANS) fluorescence, directly affecting the compaction of structure at different levels and probably reducing the stability of the protein. The degree of functional and structural perturbation by each variant correlates with the clinical severity reported in different patients.

The oxidative fermentation of ethanol in Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus is a two-step pathway catalyzed by a single enzyme: alcohol-aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ADHa).

Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus is a N2-fixing bacterium endophyte from sugar cane. The oxidation of ethanol to acetic acid of this organism takes place in the periplasmic space, and this reaction is catalyzed by two membrane-bound enzymes complexes: the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). We present strong evidence showing that the well-known membrane-bound Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADHa) of Ga. diazotrophicus is indeed a double function enzyme, which is able to use primary alcohols (C2-C6) and its respective aldehydes as alternate substrates. Moreover, the enzyme utilizes ethanol as a substrate in a reaction mechanism where this is subjected to a two-step oxidation process to produce acetic acid without releasing the acetaldehyde intermediary to the media. Moreover, we propose a mechanism that, under physiological conditions, might permit a massive conversion of ethanol to acetic acid, as usually occurs in the acetic acid bacteria, but without the transient accumulation of the highly toxic acetaldehyde.

Giardial triosephosphate isomerase as possible target of the cytotoxic effect of omeprazole in Giardia lamblia.

Giardiasis is highly prevalent in the developing world, and treatment failures with the standard drugs are common. This work deals with the proposal of omeprazole as a novel antigiardial drug, focusing on a giardial glycolytic enzyme used to follow the cytotoxic effect at the molecular level. We used recombinant technology and enzyme inactivation to demonstrate the capacity of omeprazole to inactivate giardial triosephosphate isomerase, with no adverse effects on its human counterpart. To establish the specific target in the enzyme, we used single mutants of every cysteine residue in triosephosphate isomerase. The effect on cellular triosephosphate isomerase was evaluated by following the remnant enzyme activity on trophozoites treated with omeprazole. The interaction of omeprazole with giardial proteins was analyzed by fluorescence spectroscopy. The susceptibility to omeprazole of drug-susceptible and drug-resistant strains of Giardia lamblia was evaluated to demonstrate its potential as a novel antigiardial drug. Our results demonstrate that omeprazole inhibits giardial triosephosphate isomerase in a species-specific manner through interaction with cysteine at position 222. Omeprazole enters the cytoplasmic compartment of the trophozoites and inhibits cellular triosephosphate isomerase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Such inhibition takes place concomitantly with the cytotoxic effect caused by omeprazole on trophozoites. G. lamblia triosephosphate isomerase (GlTIM) is a cytoplasmic protein which can help analyses of how omeprazole works against the proteins of this parasite and in the effort to understand its mechanism of cytotoxicity. Our results demonstrate the mechanism of giardial triosephosphate isomerase inhibition by omeprazole and show that this drug is effective in vitro against drug-resistant and drug-susceptible strains of G. lamblia.

The stability of G6PD is affected by mutations with different clinical phenotypes.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common enzyme deficiency worldwide, causing a wide spectrum of conditions with severity classified from the mildest (Class IV) to the most severe (Class I). To correlate mutation sites in the G6PD with the resulting phenotypes, we studied four naturally occurring G6PD variants: Yucatan, Nashville, Valladolid and Mexico City. For this purpose, we developed a successful over-expression method that constitutes an easier and more precise method for obtaining and characterizing these enzymes. The k(cat) (catalytic constant) of all the studied variants was lower than in the wild-type. The structural rigidity might be the cause and the most evident consequence of the mutations is their impact on protein stability and folding, as can be observed from the protein yield, the T50 (temperature where 50% of its original activity is retained) values, and differences on hydrophobic regions. The mutations corresponding to more severe phenotypes are related to the structural NADP+ region. This was clearly observed for the Classes III and II variants, which became more thermostable with increasing NADP+, whereas the Class I variants remained thermolabile. The mutations produce repulsive electric charges that, in the case of the Yucatan variant, promote increased disorder of the C-terminus and consequently affect the binding of NADP+, leading to enzyme instability.

Synaptic vesicle protein 2A: basic facts and role in synaptic function.

In recent years, there has been considerable interest in determining the function of synaptic vesicle protein 2A and its role as a target for antiepileptic drugs. Although it is known that synaptic vesicle protein 2A is involved in normal synaptic vesicle function, its participation in synaptic vesicle cycling and neurotransmitter release in normal and pathological conditions is unclear. However, the experimental evidence suggests that synaptic vesicle protein 2A could be a vesicular transporter, regulate synaptic exocytosis as a gel matrix, or modulate synaptotagmin-1 activity. This review describes and discusses the participation of synaptic vesicle protein 2A in synaptic modulation in normal and pathological conditions.

Resistin Modulates Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Uptake in Human Placental Explants via PCSK9.

Maternal metabolic status influences pregnancy and, consequently, the perinatal outcome. Resistin is a pro-inflammatory adipokine predominantly expressed and secreted by mononuclear cells, adipose tissue, and placental trophoblastic cells during pregnancy. Recently, we reported an inverse association between maternal resistin levels and fetal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Then, in this work, we used a human placental explant model and the trophoblast cell line JEG-3 to evaluate whether resistin affects placental LDL-C uptake. Resistin exposure induced the transcription factor SREBP-2, LDLR, and PCSK9 mRNA expression, and changes at the protein level were confirmed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. However, for LDLR, the changes were not consistent between mRNA and protein levels. Using a labeled LDL-cholesterol (BODIPY FL LDL), uptake assay demonstrated that the LDL-C was significantly decreased in placental explants exposed to a high dose of resistin and a lesser extent in JEG-3 cells. In summary, resistin induces PCSK9 expression in placental explants and JEG-3 cells, which could be related to negative regulation of the LDLR by lysosomal degradation. These findings suggest that resistin may significantly regulate the LDL-C uptake and transport from the maternal circulation to the fetus, affecting its growth and lipid profile.

Use of Antioxidants for the Neuro-Therapeutic Management of COVID-19.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is an emergent infectious disease that has caused millions of deaths throughout the world. COVID-19 infection's main symptoms are fever, cough, fatigue, and neurological manifestations such as headache, myalgias, anosmia, ageusia, impaired consciousness, seizures, and even neuromuscular junctions' disorders. In addition, it is known that this disease causes a series of systemic complications such as adverse respiratory distress syndrome, cardiac injury, acute kidney injury, and liver dysfunction. Due to the neurological symptoms associated with COVID-19, damage in the central nervous system has been suggested as well as the neuroinvasive potential of SARS-CoV-2. It is known that CoV infections are associated with an inflammation process related to the imbalance of the antioxidant system; cellular changes caused by oxidative stress contribute to brain tissue damage. Although anti-COVID-19 vaccines are under development, there is no specific treatment for COVID-19 and its clinical manifestations and complications; only supportive treatments with immunomodulators, anti-vascular endothelial growth factors, modulating drugs, statins, or nutritional supplements have been used. In the present work, we analyzed the potential of antioxidants as adjuvants for the treatment of COVID-19 and specifically their possible role in preventing or decreasing the neurological manifestations and neurological complications present in the disease.

Exposure to Sub-Lethal Doses of Permethrin Is Associated with Neurotoxicity: Changes in Bioenergetics, Redox Markers, Neuroinflammation and Morphology.

Permethrin (PERM) is a member of the class I family of synthetic pyrethroids. Human use has shown that it affects different systems, with wide health dysfunctions. Our aim was to determine bioenergetics, neuroinflammation and morphology changes, as redox markers after subacute exposure to PERM in rats. We used MDA determination, protein carbonyl assay, mitochondrial O2 consumption, expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and a deep histopathological analysis of the hippocampus. PERM (150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg body weight/day, o.v.) increased lipoperoxidation and carbonylated proteins in a dose-dependent manner in the brain regions. The activities of antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase, reductase, S-transferase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase showed an increase in all the different brain areas, with dose-dependent effects in the cerebellum. Cytokine profiles (IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α) increased in a dose-dependent manner in different brain tissues. Exposure to 150 mg/kg of permethrin induced degenerated and/or dead neurons in the rat hippocampus and induced mitochondrial uncoupling and reduction of oxidative phosphorylation and significantly decreased the respiratory parameters state 3-associated respiration in complex I and II. PERM exposure at low doses induces reactive oxygen species production and imbalance in the enzymatic antioxidant system, increases gene expression of pro-inflammatory interleukins, and could lead to cell damage mediated by mitochondrial functional impairment.

Differential expression of SV2A in hippocampal glutamatergic and GABAergic terminals during postnatal development.

The function of synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A) has not been clearly identified, although it has an essential role in normal neurotransmission. Changes in SV2A expression have been linked to several diseases that could implicate an imbalance between excitation and inhibition, such as epilepsy. Although it is known that SV2A expression is necessary for survival, SV2A expression and its relationship with γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate neurotransmitter systems along development has not been addressed. This report follows SV2A expression levels in the rat hippocampus and their association with glutamatergic and GABAergic terminals along postnatal development. Total SV2A expression was assessed by real time PCR and western blot, while immunofluorescence was used to identify SV2A protein in the different hippocampal layers and its co-localization with GABA or glutamate vesicular transporters. SV2A was dynamically regulated along development and its association with GABA or glutamate transporters varied in the different hippocampal layers. In the principal cells layers (granular and pyramidal), SV2A protein was preferentially localized to GABAergic terminals, while in the hilus and stratum lucidum SV2A was associated mainly to glutamatergic terminals. Although SV2A was ubiquitously expressed in the entire hippocampus, it established a differential association with excitatory or inhibitory terminals, which could contribute to the maturation of excitatory/inhibitory balance.

Transcriptomic analysis reveals new hippocampal gene networks induced by prolactin.

Prolactin (Prl) is a pleiotropic hormone with multiple functions in several tissues and organs, including the brain. In the hippocampus, Prl has been implicated in several functions, including neuroprotection against excitotoxicity in lactating rats and in Prl-treated ovariectomized animals. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in Prl actions in the hippocampus have not been completely elucidated. The aim of this study was to analyse the hippocampal transcriptome of female Prl-treated ovariectomized rats. Transcriptomic analysis by RNASeq revealed 162 differentially expressed genes throughout 24 h of Prl treatment. Gene Ontology analysis of those genes showed that 37.65% were involved in brain processes that are regulated by the hippocampus, such as learning, memory and behaviour, as well as new processes that we did not foresee, such as glial differentiation, axogenesis, synaptic transmission, postsynaptic potential, and neuronal and glial migration. Immunodetection analysis demonstrated that Prl significantly modified microglial morphology, reduced the expression of Cd11b/c protein, and altered the content and location of the neuronal proteins Tau, Map2 and Syp, which are involved in axogenic and synaptic functions. This novel delineation of Prl activity in the hippocampus highlights its importance as a neuroactive hormone, opens a new avenue for understanding its actions and supports its participation in neuronal plasticity of this brain area.

Re-thinking the Etiological Framework of Neurodegeneration.

Neurodegenerative diseases are among the leading causes of disability and death worldwide. The disease-related socioeconomic burden is expected to increase with the steadily increasing life expectancy. In spite of decades of clinical and basic research, most strategies designed to manage degenerative brain diseases are palliative. This is not surprising as neurodegeneration progresses "silently" for decades before symptoms are noticed. Importantly, conceptual models with heuristic value used to study neurodegeneration have been constructed retrospectively, based on signs and symptoms already present in affected patients; a circumstance that may confound causes and consequences. Hence, innovative, paradigm-shifting views of the etiology of these diseases are necessary to enable their timely prevention and treatment. Here, we outline four alternative views, not mutually exclusive, on different etiological paths toward neurodegeneration. First, we propose neurodegeneration as being a secondary outcome of a primary cardiovascular cause with vascular pathology disrupting the vital homeostatic interactions between the vasculature and the brain, resulting in cognitive impairment, dementia, and cerebrovascular events such as stroke. Second, we suggest that the persistence of senescent cells in neuronal circuits may favor, together with systemic metabolic diseases, neurodegeneration to occur. Third, we argue that neurodegeneration may start in response to altered body and brain trophic interactions established via the hardwire that connects peripheral targets with central neuronal structures or by means of extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated communication. Lastly, we elaborate on how lifespan body dysbiosis may be linked to the origin of neurodegeneration. We highlight the existence of bacterial products that modulate the gut-brain axis causing neuroinflammation and neuronal dysfunction. As a concluding section, we end by recommending research avenues to investigate these etiological paths in the future. We think that this requires an integrated, interdisciplinary conceptual research approach based on the investigation of the multimodal aspects of physiology and pathophysiology. It involves utilizing proper conceptual models, experimental animal units, and identifying currently unused opportunities derived from human data. Overall, the proposed etiological paths and experimental recommendations will be important guidelines for future cross-discipline research to overcome the translational roadblock and to develop causative treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

Cloning and biochemical characterization of three glucose­6­phosphate dehydrogenase mutants presents in the Mexican population.

The deficiency of glucose­6­phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is one of the most common inborn errors of metabolism worldwide. This congenital disorder generally results from mutations that are spread throughout the entire gene of G6PD. Three single-point mutations for G6PD have been reported in the Mexican population and named Veracruz (Arg365His), G6PD Seattle (Asp282His), and G6PD Mexico DF (Thr65Ala), whose biochemical characterization have not yet been studied. For this reason, in this work we analyzed the putative role of the three mutations to uncover the functional consequences on G6PD activity. To this end, was developed a method to clone, overexpress, and purify recombinant human G6PD. The results obtained from all variants showed a loss of catalysis by 80 to 97% and had a decrease in affinity for both physiological substrates with respect to the wild type (WT) G6PD. Our results also showed that the three mutations affected three-dimensional structure and protein stability, suggesting an unstable structure with low conformational stability that affected its G6PD functionality. Finally, based on the biochemical characterization of the unclassified G6PD Mexico DF, we suggest that this variant could be grouped as a Class I variant, because biochemical data are similar with other Class I G6PDs.

Progesterone receptor mRNA expression and distribution in the female rabbit brain.

Progesterone regulates diverse functions in the rabbit brain through the interaction with its nuclear receptor (PR). Although PR protein has been detected in some regions of the rabbit forebrain, PR mRNA expression and distribution in the rabbit brain are unknown. Hence, we investigated these issues by in situ hybridization. New Zealand adult female rabbits were ovariectomized and treated with vehicle or estradiol (5 microg/(kg day)) for 3 days. The results show an extended distribution of PR mRNA expression in the rabbit brain. The highest expression was detected in preoptic area and hypothalamic anterior nuclei such as paraventricular, periventricular and arcuate nuclei. A high expression was also detected in thalamic and telencephalic areas, including hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Estradiol treatment induced an increase in PR mRNA expression in many brain areas, particularly in the hippocampus and the hypothalamic and preoptic area regions. The wide distribution of PR mRNA in the rabbit brain suggests that progesterone through PR activation is involved in several functions apart from reproductive behavior in rabbits, and that PR expression is up-regulated by estradiol in the rabbit brain.

RNAi-Mediated Specific Gene Silencing as a Tool for the Discovery of New Drug Targets in Giardia lamblia; Evaluation Using the NADH Oxidase Gene.

The microaerophilic protozoan Giardia lamblia is the agent causing giardiasis, an intestinal parasitosis of worldwide distribution. Different pharmacotherapies have been employed against giardiasis; however, side effects in the host and reports of drug resistant strains generate the need to develop new strategies that identify novel biological targets for drug design. To support this requirement, we have designed and evaluated a vector containing a cassette for the synthesis of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), which can silence expression of a target gene through the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway. Small silencing RNAs were detected and quantified in transformants expressing dsRNA by a stem-loop RT-qPCR approach. The results showed that, in transformants expressing dsRNA of 100-200 base pairs, the level of NADHox mRNA was reduced by around 30%, concomitant with a decrease in enzyme activity and a reduction in the number of trophozoites with respect to the wild type strain, indicating that NADHox is indeed an important enzyme for Giardia viability. These results suggest that it is possible to induce the G. lamblia RNAi machinery for attenuating the expression of genes encoding proteins of interest. We propose that our silencing strategy can be used to identify new potential drug targets, knocking down genes encoding different structural proteins and enzymes from a wide variety of metabolic pathways.