Structure and Functions of Actin and Actin-Binding Proteins in Leishmania

The actin cytoskeleton plays a crucial role in fundamental eukaryotic processes such as morphogenesis, motility, endocytosis, intracellular trafficking, and cell division. However, our understanding of actin and its associated proteins in trypanosomatid parasites like Leishmania remains limited. Over the past two decades, considerable progress has been made in elucidating the structure and functions of Leishmania actin and its core regulators. Notably, these findings are primarily derived from studies of the insect-stage promastigote form, while the roles of the actin machinery during the disease-causing amastigote stage within mammalian hosts remain largely unexplored. This review consolidates the current knowledge of actin and its interactors in Leishmania promastigotes, highlighting their potential roles in parasite development and stage-specific differentiation. Additionally, it explores the potential of targeting the cytoskeletal system as a strategy for novel therapeutic interventions against Leishmaniasis. The review concludes by identifying critical knowledge gaps and proposing future research directions to better understand actin-driven pathogenesis in this important human parasite.