Trypanothione is a unusual form of glutathione that is found in parasitic protozoa such as leishmania and trypanosomes. These parasites are the cause of leishmaniasis and sleeping sickness, respectively. Trypanothione contains two molecules of glutathione joined by a polyamine linker. Trypanothione is not present in humans and is essential for the survival of the parasites. The enzymes that make and use this molecule are therefore seen as targets for drugs to treat these diseases.
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