Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Deciphering the Molecular Mechanism and Function of Pore-Forming Toxins Using Leishmania major
Published on: October 28, 2022
Comparative genomics: from genotype to disease phenotype in the leishmaniases
Deborah F Smith1, Christopher S Peacock, Angela K Cruz
1Immunology and Infection Unit, Department of Biology/Hull York Medical School, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5YW, UK. dfs501@york.ac.uk
Abstract:
Recent progress in sequencing the genomes of several Leishmania species, causative agents of cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, is revealing unusual features of potential relevance to parasite virulence and pathogenesis in the host. While the genomes of Leishmania major, Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania infantum are highly similar in content and organisation, species-specific genes and mechanisms distinguish one from another. In particular, the presence of retrotransposons and the components of a putative RNA interference machinery in L. braziliensis suggest the potential for both greater diversity and more tractable experimentation in this Leishmania Viannia species.
Related Concept Videos
Leishmaniasis
Genomics
Antiprotozoal Agents
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets
Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons
Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...

