Relevance and proteomics challenge of functional posttranslational modifications in Kinetoplastid parasites

Protozoan parasitic infections are health, social and economic issues impacting both humans and animals, with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Protozoan parasites have complicated life cycles with both intracellular and extracellular forms. As a consequence, protozoan adapt to changing environments in part through a dynamic enzyme-catalyzed process leading to reversible posttranslational modifications (PTMs). The characterization by proteomics approaches reveals the critical role of the PTMs of the proteins involved in host-pathogen interaction. The complexity of PTMs characterization is increased by the high diversity, stoichiometry, dynamic and also co-existence of several PTMs in the same moieties which crosstalk between them. Here, we review how to understand the complexity and the essential role of PTMs crosstalk in order to provide a new hallmark for vaccines developments, immunotherapies and personalized medicine. In addition, the importance of these motifs in the biology and biological cycle of kinetoplastid parasites is highlighted with key examples showing the potential to act as targets against protozoan diseases.