Biochemical aspects of egg hatch in endo- and ectoparasites: potential for rational drug design

Control of parasites through rational drug design requires a thorough understanding of the parasite's lifecycle encompassing the biochemical and physiological processes which contribute to normal parasite homeostasis. The hatching of parasite eggs for example, represents an important process in the development of a parasitic infection. Previous studies in helminths have indicated that secreted enzymes often facilitate successful endoparasite egg hatch. In contrast, there are relatively few examples demonstrating a role for secreted enzymes in the egg hatching process of insects. An analysis of this process in the ectoparasite Lucilia cuprina suggests a role for secreted enzymes in the hatching of sheep blowfly eggs. Characterisation of the proteases collected at the time of egg hatch indicates the presence of serine proteases. Further purification and characterisation of these proteases may enable the design of specific inhibitors to interfere with the egg hatch process and therefore provide a novel means of control.