Down the membrane hole: Ion channels in protozoan parasites.
Parasitic diseases caused by protozoans are highly prevalent around the world, disproportionally affecting developing countries, where coinfection with other microorganisms is common. Control and treatment of parasitic infections are constrained by the lack of specific and effective drugs, plus the...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2022-12-01
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| Series: | PLoS Pathogens |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1011004 |
| _version_ | 1797777432485298176 |
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| author | Veronica Jimenez Sebastian Mesones |
| author_facet | Veronica Jimenez Sebastian Mesones |
| author_sort | Veronica Jimenez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Parasitic diseases caused by protozoans are highly prevalent around the world, disproportionally affecting developing countries, where coinfection with other microorganisms is common. Control and treatment of parasitic infections are constrained by the lack of specific and effective drugs, plus the rapid emergence of resistance. Ion channels are main drug targets for numerous diseases, but their potential against protozoan parasites is still untapped. Ion channels are membrane proteins expressed in all types of cells, allowing for the flow of ions between compartments, and regulating cellular functions such as membrane potential, excitability, volume, signaling, and death. Channels and transporters reside at the interface between parasites and their hosts, controlling nutrient uptake, viability, replication, and infectivity. To understand how ion channels control protozoan parasites fate and to evaluate their suitability for therapeutics, we must deepen our knowledge of their structure, function, and modulation. However, methodological approaches commonly used in mammalian cells have proven difficult to apply in protozoans. This review focuses on ion channels described in protozoan parasites of clinical relevance, mainly apicomplexans and trypanosomatids, highlighting proteins for which molecular and functional evidence has been correlated with their physiological functions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T23:03:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9445e61323bc4c329552fc3d3d67447e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1553-7366 1553-7374 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T23:03:52Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj.art-9445e61323bc4c329552fc3d3d67447e2023-07-19T05:31:24ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Pathogens1553-73661553-73742022-12-011812e101100410.1371/journal.ppat.1011004Down the membrane hole: Ion channels in protozoan parasites.Veronica JimenezSebastian MesonesParasitic diseases caused by protozoans are highly prevalent around the world, disproportionally affecting developing countries, where coinfection with other microorganisms is common. Control and treatment of parasitic infections are constrained by the lack of specific and effective drugs, plus the rapid emergence of resistance. Ion channels are main drug targets for numerous diseases, but their potential against protozoan parasites is still untapped. Ion channels are membrane proteins expressed in all types of cells, allowing for the flow of ions between compartments, and regulating cellular functions such as membrane potential, excitability, volume, signaling, and death. Channels and transporters reside at the interface between parasites and their hosts, controlling nutrient uptake, viability, replication, and infectivity. To understand how ion channels control protozoan parasites fate and to evaluate their suitability for therapeutics, we must deepen our knowledge of their structure, function, and modulation. However, methodological approaches commonly used in mammalian cells have proven difficult to apply in protozoans. This review focuses on ion channels described in protozoan parasites of clinical relevance, mainly apicomplexans and trypanosomatids, highlighting proteins for which molecular and functional evidence has been correlated with their physiological functions.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1011004 |
| spellingShingle | Veronica Jimenez Sebastian Mesones Down the membrane hole: Ion channels in protozoan parasites. PLoS Pathogens |
| title | Down the membrane hole: Ion channels in protozoan parasites. |
| title_full | Down the membrane hole: Ion channels in protozoan parasites. |
| title_fullStr | Down the membrane hole: Ion channels in protozoan parasites. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Down the membrane hole: Ion channels in protozoan parasites. |
| title_short | Down the membrane hole: Ion channels in protozoan parasites. |
| title_sort | down the membrane hole ion channels in protozoan parasites |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1011004 |
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