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Related Experiment Videos

Ecto-ATPases in protozoa parasites: looking for a function.

José Roberto Meyer-Fernandes1

  • 1Departamento de Bioquímica Médica, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, CCS, Bloco H-20 andar-sala 13, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, 21541-590, RJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. meyer@bioqmed.ufrj.br

Parasitology International
|September 24, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Cell membrane ecto-ATPases are enzymes on the cell surface. This review summarizes their properties and explores potential roles in protozoa, including signaling and adhesion.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Cell surface enzymes, or ecto-enzymes, have active sites facing the extracellular environment.
  • Ecto-ATPases are integral membrane glycoproteins that hydrolyze nucleoside triphosphates.
  • The physiological functions of ecto-ATPases remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the biochemical properties of ecto-ATPases.
  • To summarize the proposed functions of ecto-ATPases in protozoa.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of biochemical properties.
  • Summary of proposed physiological roles.

Main Results:

  • Ecto-ATPases are divalent cation-dependent and hydrolyze all nucleoside triphosphates.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Hypothesized functions include protection from extracellular ATP, regulation of ectokinase substrates, termination of purinergic signaling, signal transduction, and cellular adhesion.

    • Conclusions:

    • Ecto-ATPases possess diverse biochemical characteristics.
    • Several potential physiological roles for ecto-ATPases in protozoa have been proposed, warranting further investigation.