[Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases: diversity, classification, structure and function]

During the last years there have been major advances in the knowledge of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases. Particularly, referred to the presence of multiple different isozymes. Seven different phosphodiesterase gene families, have been described in mammalian tissues, containing several distinct genes, most of them expressed in different tissues as functionally unique splice variants. This article includes various aspects of the currently accepted nomenclature, structure and function of each family of phosphodiesterases. Finally, a brief discussion of the presence and role of these enzymes in the cell proliferation and differentiation processes, in parasites of the Trypanosmatidae family, is provided.