In addition, POPTb degrades host hormones and neurotransmitter peptides (GnRH, TRH, neurotensin, endorphin, bradykinin), which could play a role in neuroendocrine disturbances (Ndung’u et al., 1992; Tetaert et al., 1993; Bastos et al., 2010), since abnormal levels of GnRH and TRH seem to correlate with hypogonadism and hypothyroidism, symptoms associated to sleeping sickness (Hublart et al., 1988). The gene discussed is TRH; the disease is human African trypanosomiasis.