Heme metabolism as a therapeutic target against protozoan parasites

Neglected tropical diseases caused by protozoan parasites affect the life of millions of people worldwide, causing mortality, morbidity and high economic and social burden. The search for new drug targets and therapeutic strategies to fight these pathogens are necessary, since many current drugs have limited effects, cause severe side effects and their use has resulted in pathogen resistance. Heme (iron protoporphyrin IX) is a ubiquitous molecule important in many biological processes, including the homeostasis, growth and development of human pathogens such as trypanosomatids (Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania spp.) and Plasmodium spp. In this review, several chemotherapy approaches and strategies are discussed that target heme transport, catabolism, crystallization and hemeproteins.