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Sec14 proteins in the apicomplexan parasites Plasmodium and Toxoplasma

Florian Lauruol1, Dave Richard1

  • 1Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, CRCHU de Québec-Université Laval, Laurier Québec (QC), Canada; Department of Microbiology-Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, (Qc), Canada.

Trends in Parasitology
|November 9, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Sec14 proteins are vital for eukaryotes. Targeting these proteins in apicomplexan parasites, like fungi, may offer new therapeutic strategies against parasitic diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Parasitology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Sec14 domain proteins are conserved across eukaryotes, performing crucial cellular functions.
  • Limited research on apicomplexan Sec14 proteins suggests their importance for parasite survival.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential of targeting Sec14 proteins in apicomplexan parasites.
  • To investigate apicomplexan Sec14 proteins as potential drug targets, inspired by fungal inhibitors.

Main Methods:

  • Bioinformatic analysis of Sec14 protein families.
  • Comparative genomics of Sec14 proteins in apicomplexans and fungi.
  • Literature review on Sec14 inhibitors and apicomplexan biology.

Main Results:

  • Sec14 proteins are essential across eukaryotic organisms.
  • Apicomplexan parasites possess Sec14 proteins crucial for their lifecycle.
  • Fungal Sec14 inhibitors provide a precedent for targeting apicomplexan homologs.

Conclusions:

  • Sec14 proteins represent a promising, conserved target for antiparasitic drug development.
  • Further research into apicomplexan Sec14 proteins could lead to novel treatments for apicomplexan-borne diseases.
Keywords:
Plasmodium: ToxoplasmaSec14apicomplexanmalariaphosphoinositides

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