Repurposing Inhibitors to Disrupt Thioredoxin Reductase in Cryptosporidium parvum

Cryptosporidiosis is a severe diarrheal disease caused by the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium, posing a significant health risk to immunocompromised individuals and young children in low-resource settings. Current treatment options are limited, underscoring the urgent need for novel therapeutics. This project investigates thioredoxin reductase (CpTrxR), an essential enzyme in Cryptosporidium's redox homeostasis, as a potential drug target. We evaluated a panel of 20 inhibitors, previously shown to exhibit activity against diseases such as malaria, schistosomiasis, and cancer, for their efficacy against CpTrxR. Using a combination of biochemical assays and data analysis techniques, we assessed each inhibitor’s potency and binding characteristics. While several compounds demonstrated measurable inhibition of CpTrxR, their percent inhibition values were not sufficiently low to suggest strong potential as therapeutic candidates.