Expression of cysteine proteinases and cystatins in parasites and use of cysteine proteinase inhibitors in parasitic diseases. Part III: Protozoa (3): Kinetoplastids | ||||
| Parasitologists United Journal | ||||
| Article 2, Volume 12, Issue 3, December 2019, Page 163-186 PDF (437.44 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Review Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/puj.2019.20020.1055 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Author | ||||
| Sherif za Abaza* | ||||
| Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Kinetoplastids, or trypanosomatids are flagellate protozoa characterized by the presence of a kinetoplast composed of a DNA network of circular molecules, localized near the basal body. Cysteine proteinases (CPs) have attracted considerable attention in pathogenic trypanosomatids due to their essential roles in parasite’ growth, transformation, proliferation, migration and invasion, as well as immunomodulation of host immune system. Because CPs are essential virulence factors during all stages of the infection process, a number of new strategies to obstruct trypanosomatid biological processes have emerged; one of them is focused on using CP inhibitors (CPIs). The objective of the present review is to highlight the molecular characterization and functions of CPs in pathogenic trypanosomatids. Sufficient knowledge aided with bioinformatics analysis can lead to efficient development of diagnostic and biogenetic markers, drug targets (potent CPIs), and vaccine candidates. The role of the unusual endogenous CPI (CYS) in trypanosomatids will also be discussed. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| brucipain; calpain; cathepsin-like; chagasin; cruzipain; drug target; trypanosomatids; vaccine candidate | ||||
|
Statistics Article View: 302 PDF Download: 541 |
||||
