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Does protein phosphorylation govern host cell entry and egress by the Apicomplexa?
Damien Jacot1, Dominique Soldati-Favre
1Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, CMU, 1 Rue Michel-Servet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. Damien.Jacot@unige.ch
International Journal of Medical Microbiology : IJMM
|September 7, 2012
Summary
Protein kinases are crucial for apicomplexan parasites that cause diseases. Understanding protein phosphorylation in these parasites is key to developing new treatments against infectious diseases.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Molecular Biology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Apicomplexa phylum parasites cause significant human and animal diseases.
- Lack of effective vaccines and drug resistance necessitates novel therapeutic targets.
- Protein kinases are validated targets in cancer and infectious diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in understanding protein phosphorylation's role in apicomplexan motility and invasion.
- To highlight protein kinases as potential intervention targets.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research on apicomplexan protein kinases.
- Analysis of studies focusing on protein phosphorylation in parasite motility and invasion.
Main Results:
- Protein phosphorylation significantly regulates essential apicomplexan processes like motility and invasion.
- Specific protein kinases are implicated as key regulators.
Conclusions:
- Targeting protein kinases and their regulatory pathways offers a promising strategy for developing new anti-apicomplexan therapies.
- Further research into apicomplexan protein phosphorylation is warranted for drug development.
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