Version 1
: Received: 12 February 2023 / Approved: 14 February 2023 / Online: 14 February 2023 (04:42:12 CET)
How to cite:
Ayariga, J.A.; Ibrahim, I.; Syamala, S.; Abugri, D.; Abugri, J. Review of Lipid Metabolic Pathways and Calcium Signaling in the Apicomplexan Families and their Importance in Drug Discovery. Preprints2023, 2023020234. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202302.0234.v1.
Ayariga, J.A.; Ibrahim, I.; Syamala, S.; Abugri, D.; Abugri, J. Review of Lipid Metabolic Pathways and Calcium Signaling in the Apicomplexan Families and their Importance in Drug Discovery. Preprints 2023, 2023020234. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202302.0234.v1.
Cite as:
Ayariga, J.A.; Ibrahim, I.; Syamala, S.; Abugri, D.; Abugri, J. Review of Lipid Metabolic Pathways and Calcium Signaling in the Apicomplexan Families and their Importance in Drug Discovery. Preprints2023, 2023020234. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202302.0234.v1.
Ayariga, J.A.; Ibrahim, I.; Syamala, S.; Abugri, D.; Abugri, J. Review of Lipid Metabolic Pathways and Calcium Signaling in the Apicomplexan Families and their Importance in Drug Discovery. Preprints 2023, 2023020234. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202302.0234.v1.
Abstract
Calcium signaling and lipid metabolism are crucial in the infection processes of Apicomplexans parasites. Thus, enzymes involved in these processes can be drug targets against Apicomplexans. For example, in malaria infection, in-depth research into lipid metabolic pathways is crucial in understanding the parasite's infection cycle, particularly during its erythrocytic infection cycle, which has been demonstrated to be a critical stage during the disease progression. Most enzymes that play critical roles in lipid synthesis and calcium signaling have been extensively studied; nonetheless, a vast knowledge gap still exists, especially on specific enzymes and their roles in the transmission and progression of the Apicomplexan parasites. Many types of infections caused by Apicomplexans are life-threatening and hard to treat. These intracellular parasites proliferate within parasitophorous vacuoles in their host cells. As the parasites multiply, they need to meet their high demand for nutrients such as amino acids and lipids. They can acquire nutrients through scavenging and biosynthesis. This review summarizes a few interesting, unique pathways in selected Apicomplexa and how such unique pathways can be targets for drugs.
Keywords
lipid metabolism; Apicomplexa; drug discovery; calcium signaling; acidocalcisomes; parasite
Subject
LIFE SCIENCES, Microbiology
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
