Abstract
Apicomplexans comprise some of the most life threatening parasites infecting human and livestock and includes Plasmodium and Toxoplasma, the causative agents of malaria and toxoplasmosis respectively, in humans as well as Neospora caninum (abortion in livestock, neosporosis in dogs), Cryptosporidium (Diarrheal cryptosporidiosis and opportunistic infections in AIDS patients) and Eimeria (poultry coccidiosis). These parasites are characterized by a complex life cycle usually alternating between sexual and asexual cycles in different hosts. The need to adapt to different host environments, demands a tight regulation of gene expression during parasite development. Therefore, the understanding of parasite biology will facilitate the control of the infection and the disease. In this review we emphasize the progress made so far in gene regulation in two medically important parasites, namely Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii, as well as other less known apicomplexan. The genome of both Plasmodium and Toxoplasma has been sequenced and since then there has been a significant progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms that control stage specific gene expression in the two parasites. In addition, the information gained in each of the parasite can be used in studying mechanisms that are still elusive in the other apicomplexans that are not readily available. Additionally, they can serve as model systems for other disease causing Apicomplexan parasites.
Keywords: Apicomplexan, transcription regulation, stage specificity, epigenetics, gene expression, drug target
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets
Title: Comparative Analysis of Stage Specific Gene Regulation of Apicomplexan Parasites: Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii
Volume: 10 Issue: 4
Author(s): Anusha M. Gopalakrishnan and Carlos Lopez-Estrano
Affiliation:
Keywords: Apicomplexan, transcription regulation, stage specificity, epigenetics, gene expression, drug target
Abstract: Apicomplexans comprise some of the most life threatening parasites infecting human and livestock and includes Plasmodium and Toxoplasma, the causative agents of malaria and toxoplasmosis respectively, in humans as well as Neospora caninum (abortion in livestock, neosporosis in dogs), Cryptosporidium (Diarrheal cryptosporidiosis and opportunistic infections in AIDS patients) and Eimeria (poultry coccidiosis). These parasites are characterized by a complex life cycle usually alternating between sexual and asexual cycles in different hosts. The need to adapt to different host environments, demands a tight regulation of gene expression during parasite development. Therefore, the understanding of parasite biology will facilitate the control of the infection and the disease. In this review we emphasize the progress made so far in gene regulation in two medically important parasites, namely Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii, as well as other less known apicomplexan. The genome of both Plasmodium and Toxoplasma has been sequenced and since then there has been a significant progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms that control stage specific gene expression in the two parasites. In addition, the information gained in each of the parasite can be used in studying mechanisms that are still elusive in the other apicomplexans that are not readily available. Additionally, they can serve as model systems for other disease causing Apicomplexan parasites.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
M. Gopalakrishnan Anusha and Lopez-Estrano Carlos, Comparative Analysis of Stage Specific Gene Regulation of Apicomplexan Parasites: Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii, Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets 2010; 10 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152610791591593
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152610791591593 |
Print ISSN 1871-5265 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2212-3989 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Covid-19: Pathophysiology; Mechanism of Transmission and Possible Molecular Drug Target for Management
Current Molecular Pharmacology Role of Stromal-Derived Factor-1 in Mesenchymal Stem Cell Paracrinemediated Tissue Repair
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Expression and Function of Anti-Inflammatory Interleukins: The Other Side of the Vascular Response to Injury
Current Vascular Pharmacology Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis: AllA Radiologist Needs To Know
Current Pediatric Reviews Cancer Cachexia: One Step Ahead
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Advances in the Chemistry of Saccharins: From Synthetic Novelties Towards Biologically Active Compounds
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Expanding Universe of Neurotrophic Factors: Therapeutic Potential in Aging and Age-Associated Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cardiovascular Toxicity from the Perspective of Oxidative Stress, Electron Transfer, and Prevention by Antioxidants
Current Vascular Pharmacology Editorial: Novel Therapeutic Approaches for HCV Chronic Infections [Hot Topic: HCV Drug Discovery and Development and Clinical Issues Related to Co-Infection with HIV (Guest Editors: Raffaele De Francesco and Giovanni Migliaccio)]
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets Safety of Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors for Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
Current Drug Safety The Second Generation of COX-2 Inhibitors: Clinical Pharmacological Point of View
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Therapeutic Potential of Perineural Invasion, Hypoxia and Desmoplasia in Pancreatic Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cellular Energetical Actions of “Chemical” and “Surgical” Vagotomy in Gastrointestinal Mucosal Damage and Protection: Similarities, Differences and Significance for Brain-Gut Function
Current Neuropharmacology Viral Proteases as Targets for Drug Design
Current Pharmaceutical Design Patent Selections
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Neutrophil Function in Severe Sepsis
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Modulation of Hepatocyte Apoptosis: Cross-talk Between Bile Acids and Nuclear Steroid Receptors
Current Medicinal Chemistry Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors – A Review on Pharmacology, Metabolism and Side Effects
Current Drug Metabolism Studies on Coumarins and Coumarin-Related Compounds to Determine their Therapeutic Role in the Treatment of Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Design Modifications of Cell Signalling and Redox Balance by Targeting Protein Acetylation Using Natural and Engineered Molecules: Implications in Cancer Therapy
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry