Exploiting the Achilles' heel of membrane trafficking in trypanosomes.

Exploiting the Achilles' heel of membrane trafficking in trypanosomes.
Curr Opin Microbiol. 2016 Sep 8;34:97-103
Authors: Zoltner M, Horn D, de Koning HP, Field MC
Abstract
Pathogenic protozoa are evolutionarily highly divergent from their metazoan hosts, reflected in many aspects of their biology. One particularly important parasite taxon is the trypanosomatids. Multiple transmission modes, distinct life cycles and exploitation of many host species attests to great prowess as parasites, and adaptability for efficient, chronic infection. Genome sequencing has begun uncovering how trypanosomatids are well suited to parasitism, and recent genetic screening and cell biology are revealing new aspects of how to control these organisms and prevent disease. Importantly, several lines of evidence suggest that membrane transport processes are central for the sensitivity towards several frontline drugs.
PMID: 27614711 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Current Opinion in Microbiology - September 7, 2016 Category: Microbiology Authors: Zoltner M, Horn D, de Koning HP, Field MC Tags: Curr Opin Microbiol Source Type: research