ESB2, the parasite's molecular shredder, unravels sleeping sickness cloak mystery
University of York researchers identify ESB2, a molecular shredder in Trypanosoma brucei, that sits at the end of the parasite’s protein-production line and selectively degrades RNA to keep the variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) cloak working at full speed while minimizing energy waste. Removing ESB2 upsets this balance, suggesting the shredder as a potential drug target to make the parasite more visible to the immune system. Sleeping sickness is transmitted by tsetse flies and remains a regional health challenge, but this discovery opens new avenues for therapies; further work will map ESB2’s RNA targets and interactions.