Towards a molecular understanding of the apicomplexan actin motor: on a road to novel targets for malaria remedies?
Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun
; 71(Pt 5): 500-13, 2015 May.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25945702
ABSTRACT
Apicomplexan parasites are the causative agents of notorious human and animal diseases that give rise to considerable human suffering and economic losses worldwide. The most prominent parasites of this phylum are the malaria-causing Plasmodium species, which are widespread in tropical and subtropical regions, and Toxoplasma gondii, which infects one third of the world's population. These parasites share a common form of gliding motility which relies on an actin-myosin motor. The components of this motor and the actin-regulatory proteins in Apicomplexa have unique features compared with all other eukaryotes. This, together with the crucial roles of these proteins, makes them attractive targets for structure-based drug design. In recent years, several structures of glideosome components, in particular of actins and actin regulators from apicomplexan parasites, have been determined, which will hopefully soon allow the creation of a complete molecular picture of the parasite actin-myosin motor and its regulatory machinery. Here, current knowledge of the function of this motor is reviewed from a structural perspective.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Contexto em Saúde:
3_ND
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Toxoplasma
/
Actinas
/
Sistemas de Liberação de Medicamentos
/
Compreensão
/
Malária
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun
Ano de publicação:
2015
Tipo de documento:
Article