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Parasite mitogen-activated protein kinases as drug discovery targets to treat human protozoan pathogens.

ABSTRACT: Protozoan pathogens are a highly diverse group of unicellular organisms, several of which are significant human pathogens. One group of protozoan pathogens includes obligate intracellular parasites such as agents of malaria, leishmaniasis, babesiosis, and toxoplasmosis. The other group includes extracellular pathogens such as agents of giardiasis and amebiasis. An unfortunate unifying theme for most human protozoan pathogens is that highly effective treatments for them are generally lacking. We will review targeting protozoan mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) as a novel drug discovery approach towards developing better therapies, focusing on Plasmodia, Leishmania, and Toxoplasma, about which the most is known.

SUBMITTER: Brumlik MJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3100106 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Parasite mitogen-activated protein kinases as drug discovery targets to treat human protozoan pathogens.

Brumlik Michael J MJ Pandeswara Srilakshmi S Ludwig Sara M SM Murthy Kruthi K Curiel Tyler J TJ

Journal of signal transduction 20110227

Protozoan pathogens are a highly diverse group of unicellular organisms, several of which are significant human pathogens. One group of protozoan pathogens includes obligate intracellular parasites such as agents of malaria, leishmaniasis, babesiosis, and toxoplasmosis. The other group includes extracellular pathogens such as agents of giardiasis and amebiasis. An unfortunate unifying theme for most human protozoan pathogens is that highly effective treatments for them are generally lacking. We ...[more]

PMID: 21637385

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